Adelaide, Oct 23 (UNI) Australia pulled off a thrilling two-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, powered by Cooper Connolly’s composed unbeaten 61 and Matthew Short’s steady 74. The hosts chased down the target with 22 balls to spare, overcoming late hiccups as India’s bowlers struck in bursts.
This win enabled Australia to clinch the three-match series 2-0.
Chasing 265, Australia were rocked early when Arshdeep Singh removed skipper Mitchell Marsh for 11 in the eighth over, followed soon by Travis Head’s soft dismissal to Virat Kohli off Harshit Rana for 28.
Despite early pressure, Short and Mathew Renshaw counterattacked with fluent strokeplay. Renshaw (30 off 30) used his feet well before being bowled by Axar Patel at 21.4 overs, ending a 55-run stand.
Wickets continued to fall as Washington Sundar bowled Alex Carey (9) with a quicker one in the 27th over, but Short’s third ODI fifty (25.4 overs) kept Australia in control. He launched Axar Patel and Sundar for sixes, capitalising on reprieves — dropped twice by Mohammad Siraj and Axar.
Short’s 74 off 78, laced with four boundaries and two sixes, ended when he pulled Harshit Rana straight to Siraj at deep square leg in the 36th over.
That dismissal opened the door for India, but the pair of Connolly and debutant Mitchell Owen turned the match around. Connolly, elegant and assured, brought up his maiden ODI fifty in the 42nd over with a flick off Siraj. Owen’s fearless hitting — 36 off 23 balls, including three sixes — swung the chase Australia’s way.
The partnership flourished with a flurry of boundaries: Connolly’s lofted six over long-off (41.1) and Owen’s ferocious pull over deep midwicket (41.0) thrilled the Adelaide fans. Washington Sundar finally broke through in the 42.3 over when Owen mistimed a lofted drive to Arshdeep Singh at long-on.
Arshdeep then dismissed Xavier Bartlett for 3 in the 44th over, followed by Siraj’s wicket of Mitchell Starc (4 off 7) at 45.5, caught softly by Axar at backward point. But Connolly stood firm, guiding Adam Zampa to safety as Australia finished on 265 for 8 in 46.2 overs.
For India, Arshdeep Singh (2/41) and Washington Sundar (2/37) were economical and incisive, while Harshit Rana (2/59) provided crucial breakthroughs. Siraj and Axar picked one apiece.
Earlier, India’s 264 for 9 was anchored by Rohit Sharma’s resilient 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s classy 61. Axar Patel contributed a valuable 44, while Harshit Rana’s unbeaten 24 gave the total some late thrust. Adam Zampa (4/60) and Xavier Bartlett (3/39) starred with the ball for Australia.
The contest ebbed and flowed throughout — India fought with spirit, but Connolly’s poise and maturity under pressure sealed a memorable chase for the hosts. The three-match series is now level at 1-1, setting up a grand finale in Melbourne.
Top performers:
India: Rohit Sharma 73, Shreyas Iyer 61, Axar Patel 44, Harshit Rana 24*; Arshdeep Singh 2/41, Washington Sundar 2/37.
Australia: Matthew Short 74, Cooper Connolly 61*, Mitchell Owen 36; Adam Zampa 4/60, Xavier Bartlett 3/39.
