The second ODI of the series between India and Australia turned out to be a replica of the first one. Just like the first ODI, Australia won the toss, had a big opening partnership, Smith scored a 62-ball century and Maxwell’s blitz in slog overs helped them post a huge score. India, while chasing had two individual half centuries and had outside chance for some period but in the end fell short by quite a bit.

Australia set 390 as target

Australian openers gave another steady start to their team. Warner was aggressive from the start while Finch was a bit watchful to begin with. Indian bowlers went wicket-less in the powerplay yet again. Warner completed hishalf century off 39 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Finch took his time to reach fifty off 60 balls as the opening duo completed their century stand. Shami provided the first breakthrough with Finch’s wicket, caught by Kohli at wide mid on off leading edge trying to flick a full ball. Smith was next to come and he started from where he left in the last match. Meanwhile Warner, who looked set for a century, was caught short of the crease by Iyer’s direct hit while trying to steal a double from long off.

It was time for another century stand between Smith and his shadow Labuschagne, with Smith being the major contributor. Smith continued his rich form as he sent Indian bowlers all around the park. Everything came from the middle of his bat as he completed his whirlwind century off 62-balls, exactly same as last innings. His classy innings had 13 fours and 2 sixes. The situation forced Kohli to bring in Hardik to bowl for the first time since his injury. Smith chased a wide delivery from Hardik and was caught at short third man for 64-ball 104.

Maxwell was next to join Marnus in the middle and his blitzkrieg half century propelled Australia to an even better finish than last innings. Marnus took advantage of the dropped catch by Jadeja and got to his fifty off 46 balls. Maxwell, with four 4s and 2 sixes, took 25 balls to reach his half century. Australia scored 114 in the last Powerplay to post a target of 390 for India.

India fall 51 runs behind

India began their chase in a better planned way than last time. The opening duo of Manish and Dhawan were cautious to begin with and played their shots on the merit of the ball. Just as their partnership crossed fifty, Hazlewood drew the first blood. He got Dhawan caught at mid on off a leading edge. Soon Mayank followed him, as he edged Cummins to Carey behind the stumps. Kohli and Iyer took their time to settle in but ensured that no further wicket would fall any time soon.

 Kohli looked focussed as he kept the scoreboard ticking with some glorious boundaries, one of them being a flick for six off Starc. Iyer, too, played some nice shots in an able support to his captain. However their 93-run stand was broken by a stunning catch at mid wicket by Smith off Henriques. Iyer(38) pulled the short slower ball of Henriques only to see it intercepted by a diving Smith.

KL Rahul was next to join Kohli as they put on almost a run-a-ball 72 run stand that did not help the required rate which kept getting higher in double digits. Their partnership was once again broken by a superb piece of fielding as Henriques took a diving catch at mid wicket off Hazlwood to dismiss Kohli for 89. His 87 ball innings had 7 fours and 2 sixes. After Kohli’s departure Rahul showed some aggressive intent as he hit five sixes in total. But he could not extend his innings past 76, being caught off edge at short third man off Zampa. Hardik could not get any timing off his shots as he struggled to a 31 ball 28. Jadeja’s 11-ball 24 runs cameo was too short to have any effect on the eventual result. India finished their innings at 338/9, 52 runs short of the target.