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| IND vs AUS 2nd ODI Highlights. (Courtesy: AP) |
“Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties,” they say — and man, did the 2nd ODI between India and Australia prove that right! The clash at Adelaide Oval on October 23, 2025, had everything — early wickets, middle-order fightbacks, and a nail-biting chase that ended with Australia stealing the series 2-0.
I stayed up late watching this one, coffee in hand, hoping India would bounce back after the first ODI loss. But as the innings unfolded, it was déjà vu — a strong start, a mid-innings wobble, and a finish that left fans sighing. Still, there were sparks of brilliance (Rohit’s classy knock, Axar’s gritty cameo), and lessons galore from this game. Let’s break it all down, play by play.
India’s Innings: A Battle of Patience, Pressure, and Partnerships
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| Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia. |
India’s innings was like a rollercoaster — thrilling in parts but frustratingly inconsistent. After losing the toss, the Men in Blue were put in to bat under slightly cloudy Adelaide skies.
- Rohit Sharma played a captain’s knock with 73 off 97 balls.
- Shreyas Iyer’s 61 was all about timing and temperament.
- Axar Patel chipped in with a handy 44 that rescued India from a mid-innings collapse.
- But the real issue? Early wickets — Shubman Gill gone for 9, and Kohli’s rare duck.
I remember watching Kohli’s dismissal and just muttering, “Not again…” It wasn’t even a great delivery — just sharp seam movement and a soft edge. India’s top order once again looked vulnerable when the ball swung.
By the time Rohit and Iyer steadied things, the run rate was crawling. There were moments of beauty, though — Rohit’s pull shots, Iyer’s wristy flicks through midwicket — classic Indian batting under pressure. But when Rohit fell, the tempo dipped again.
Axar Patel deserves a shoutout here. The way he guided the tail and picked gaps like a seasoned finisher reminded me of his IPL days. Still, 264/9 felt about 20 runs short of a winning total. The pitch wasn’t bad; it just demanded patience and rotation, something India lacked once partnerships broke.
Australia’s Chase: Controlled Chaos and Late-Game Composure
Australia needed 265 to win, and the chase was anything but straightforward. Early on, India’s bowlers made the ball talk — Arshdeep and Harshit Rana picked up crucial wickets. The game was alive till the very end.
- Matthew Short’s 74 set the platform with clean hitting.
- Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 61 sealed the deal with nerves of steel.
- India dropped two catches — small moments that made big differences.
Now, let me be honest — watching Connolly bat reminded me of a young Michael Bevan. Calm, smart, and unbothered by pressure. Even when wickets fell around him, he played the field perfectly, never forcing a shot.
India’s bowlers did well in patches. Harshit Rana, for one, bowled with heart. But the fielding lapses and lack of discipline in the middle overs let Australia back in. You could see it — heads dropping, energy fading, and by the 45th over, the result felt inevitable.
As Connolly hit the winning runs, I just sighed. It wasn’t heartbreak — it was that familiar “we could’ve had it” feeling.
⚖️ Key Turning Points: Where the Game Slipped Away
There’s always that one moment (or three) where you can feel the match turning. For India, it was a combination of little mistakes:
- Kohli’s early dismissal: The psychological blow came early and hit hard.
- Fielding errors: Two dropped catches that could’ve changed everything.
- Death overs: India leaked 35 runs in the last four overs — fatal in a close chase.
I think what really hurt was the lack of killer instinct. Once Australia’s lower order began counterattacking, India’s bowlers lost their lengths. The team looked reactive instead of proactive.
On the flip side, Australia’s composure stood out. No rash shots, no panic. Just calm, planned cricket. And that’s the difference between closing games and losing them narrowly.
🧠 Lessons for India
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| IND vs AUS 2nd ODI: Shubman Gill praises Rohit Sharma despite series defeat - 'Missed out on a really big knock'. |
Alright, if I were Rahul Dravid or Rohit sitting in that dressing room, here’s what I’d underline:
- Top-order consistency: Someone needs to anchor every game, not just occasionally.
- Better middle-over control with the ball: Those 30-40 overs often decide the game’s rhythm.
- Sharper fielding: You can’t win in Australia with sloppy fielding — period.
- Rotation and intent: Too many dot balls hurt. Singles are underrated gold.
Personally, I’d also say India needs to loosen up a bit. They look like they’re playing under pressure every ball. Cricket’s still a game — enjoy it, play your strokes, and back your instincts.
🌟 Standout Performers
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| India Vs Australia 2nd ODI: Rohit Sharma bats during IND's match against AUS. | Photo: AP/James Elsby. |
For India:
- Rohit Sharma – 73 (97)
- Shreyas Iyer – 61 (77)
- Axar Patel – 44 (41)
For Australia:
- Matthew Short – 74
- Cooper Connolly – 61* (match-winning)
- Mitchell Marsh (captain) – tactical brilliance with bowling changes
These aren’t just numbers — they’re reflections of temperament. Connolly, especially, looks like a future superstar.
🏁 The Spirit of the Game Lives in the Fight
Even though India lost by two wickets and conceded the series, there’s plenty to take away from this match. Adelaide witnessed classic ODI cricket — tight margins, emotional swings, and moments that tested both skill and spirit.
If anything, this loss should remind India that raw talent isn’t enough — it’s about mindset, field discipline, and seizing key moments. Australia played smarter, not necessarily better.
As fans, all we can do is hope the boys bounce back in the 3rd ODI with renewed energy. Every game’s a lesson, and this one was a masterclass in composure under pressure.
So, what did you think of the match? Was Rohit’s innings the highlight, or did Connolly steal the show? Drop your thoughts below — I’d love to hear your take on what India needs to fix before the next game!
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