Ashwin’s spin trapped the Australian batsmen in such a way that suddenly the entire innings faltered.Image Credit source: PTI
Just before the World Cup 2023, the Indian cricket team has issued a warning to all the teams. Team India defeated Australia in the second match of the ODI series in a very one-sided manner by a huge margin of 99 runs (Duckworth-Lewis rule) and along with this also captured the series. If Team India’s victory seemed easy in Mohali, then its complete dominance was visible in Indore, which is a big warning for the other 9 teams participating in the World Cup. In Indore, Indian batsmen scored a huge score of 399 runs but the real star of the victory was the bowling attack including Ravichandran Ashwin and Prasidh Krishna, which destroyed the Australian batsmen on a very flat pitch.
With the arrival of stalwarts like regular captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the last ODI, this was the last chance for Team India to try some options and Team India got success. Barring the attack of Shaun Abbott in the last overs, this match proved to be excellent for Team India. However, fielding still remained a cause for concern, with some catches being dropped this time too, while there were also several misfieldings, which resulted in many extra runs.
Great batting of Gill and Iyer
Australia had also rested captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh for this match. Team India had given a chance to Prasidh Krishna in place of Jasprit Bumrah. Steve Smith, who was captaining Australia, surprised everyone by deciding to bowl first. It seemed right after Ruturaj Gaikwad was out in the fourth over itself, but the real game started after that. Shreyas Iyer, who was struggling to retain his place in the team, rained boundaries as soon as he came. Shubman Gill, who was playing slowly in the beginning, also suddenly increased his pace. Both completed their half-centuries rapidly.
The attack of Gill and Iyer continued even after this and they took both the teams beyond 200 runs by the 29th over. During this, first Shreyas (105) completed the third century of his career and then lost the wicket. There was a partnership of 200 runs between the two. Soon Gill (104) also completed his sixth century and after that he also left. The platform set by both of them was maintained by captain KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan with their fast batting.
Bowlers blown away by Surya’s storm
Rahul (52) completed his half-century in just 35 balls. After this the storm of Suryakumar Yadav came. Surya, who scored a half-century after a long time in the last match, took full advantage of the easy conditions and hit fours and sixes. Surya also hit 4 consecutive sixes in the same over of Cameron Green. He completed his half-century in just 24 balls and remained steadfast till the end and took the team to 399 runs. Surya scored 72 runs (6 fours, 6 sixes) in just 37 balls.
Famous and Ashwin trapped
After the batsmen, it was the turn of the bowlers and they also did not disappoint. In the second over itself, Prasidh Krishna (2/56) sent opener Matthew Short and captain Smith back to the pavilion on consecutive balls. Such a start had made the target difficult for Australia. David Warner, however, was in a different mood and continued the counter attack. However, rain came after the 9th over, which broke Australia’s rhythm.
When the match resumed after waiting for about an hour, Australia got the target of 317 runs in 33 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis rule. This goal had become difficult. After the rain, the magic of Ravichandran Ashwin (3/41) was visible, who sealed Australia’s defeat by taking 3 wickets in two consecutive overs. Ashwin bowled Marnus Labuschagne before his carrom ball. Then in the next over, David Warner (53) and Josh Inglis were given out LBW.
Abbott struggled
Then Ravindra Jadeja (3/42) also showed his magic and bowled Alex Carey and Adam Zampa. Ishan Kishan’s direct throw ended Cameron Green’s innings. Only 8 wickets had fallen till 140 runs but after this we saw the storm of Shaun Abbott, who completed his half-century in just 29 balls while hitting sixes. Josh Hazlewood (23) also made some good shots and made a partnership of 77 runs with Abbott (54). Shami ended the innings by bowling Hazlewood and Jadeja bowled Abbott.
