Chasing a modest total of 253 Australia’s weakness against the wrist spinners was once again exposed as the Indian wrist spinner duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yazuvendra Chahal ripped past the Australian middle order, with Kuldeep Yadav becoming only the third Indian to pick up a hat-trick in the ODI Cricket in 33rd over of the match. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, despite Kohli’s pleasing to the eye 92 runs, India could only manage 252.
When Australia came in to bat next, the brilliant opening spells from pace bowlers, especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first spell and later the mystery of the wrist spinners won India the match. Australia needs to win all the remaining matches from here to win the 5 match ODI Series. Let’s have a look at a few crucial moments of the match.
- Rohit Sharma fails at Eden Garden
Rohit Sharma failed to score big at his favorite venue and became the first man to depart. Without a proper foundation, Australia would have had their hopes high and wanted to utilize the start to exert maximum pressure on the Indian batting order.
- Kohli- Rahane partnership
Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli though had other ideas, they made a brilliant partnership of 102 runs, steadying the ship as well laying a good foundation for the likes of Pandey, Dhoni and Pandya to come next. Although Rahane departed soon after his half century, Kohli continued his good work but was dismissed for 92.
- Wickets kept falling, Australia happier at the innings break
Once the partnership was broken, India never really got going, losing wickets at regular intervals while struggling to score at a good run rate which allowed India to barely cross the 250 mark. Australia was definitely the happier side going into the innings break while India were definitely 15-20 short of a bare minimum in Modern Day Cricket.
- Bhuvneshwar’s opening spell
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was at his swinging best right from the word go with the batsmen not picking up which one will shape away from them while which one will come into them. With the ball doing the talking, Kumar’s final figures read 6.1 overs-2 maidens-9 runs-3 wickets, an outstanding spell of swing bowling with the new ball and picking up his 3rd wicket with a full and straight delivery at the death.
- Steven Smith resists
Steve Smith’s innings was crucial to Australia’s run chase and as soon as he departed, India sensed they had broken through a major door of their success. Eventually, however it all became very easy with Kuldeep picking up 3 wickets in 3 balls and changed the complexion of the match. While Stoinis remained unbeaten, the match was long lost.
- Spinners spin the web
Indian spinners were outstanding in the middle overs and that’s exactly when the game could have gone either way. With the Australian team struggling to find their way through the spin, the required run rate also kept getting close to a run a ball. Chahal bowled an outstanding spell of spin bowling while Yadav took the hat-trick which turned the match on its head. Both the spinners bowled 20 overs gave away 88 runs and picked up half the side.
With the Australia needing to win 3 in 3, they will surely feel the heat, while India are cherishing the run of play at the moment. Knowing the unpredictable nature of the sport, still a lot can happen in the series. The teams meet next at Indore, Holkar Stadium on 24 September, Thursday for the 3rd ODI which will begin at 1:30 PM IST.
