Adelaide’s second one-day international
India 264-9 (50 overs): Zampa 4-60, Rohit 73 (97), Shreyas 61 (77).
Australia 265-8 (46.2 overs): Connor 61* (53), Short 74 (78) Australia leads the three-match series 2-0 after winning by two wickets.
Scorecard:
Australia defeated India by two wickets in the second ODI in Adelaide to secure the three-match series. Virat Kohli was removed for ducks in successive innings for the first time in his one-day international career. After his eight-ball duck in the series opener in Perth on Sunday, Australia seamer Xavier Bartlett pinned him lbw on the fourth ball. Kohli has amassed a record 51 hundreds in the format.
Despite his recent decline in form, Kohli amassed 218 runs at an average of 54.50 at the Champions Trophy. This included 84 in the semi-final match against Australia and 100 not out against Pakistan. Right-arm seamer Bartlett hit him in front with his fourth delivery after he had come in at 17-1 in the seventh over in Adelaide. He left his first two deliveries outside off stump and advanced to defend his third.
Former captain Rohit Sharma overcame a challenging start to top score with 73 from 97 balls as India went on to amass 264-9, but Australia won with 22 balls remaining.
Cooper Connolly added 61 not out to lead home the chase after Mitchell Owen went for 36, Bartlett threeed, and Mitchell Starc foured in a late wobble, after number three Matthew Short’s 74.
In preparation for the Ashes series against England, which begins on November 21, Starc earlier took 2-62. Josh Hazlewood, a fellow seamer, was unlucky to go wicketless in 10 overs at a cost of 29. Travis Head, one of the other Test players, was unusually held to 28 off 40 balls before making a spectacular catch to mid-on.
Matt Renshaw, who some are picking to open the batting against England, hit 30 from 30 balls, while off-spinner Washington Sundar bowled wicketkeeper Alex Carey for nine. On Sunday, the series comes to an end in Sydney ahead of five Twenty20 matches.
What Went Wrong for Kohli?
Virat Kohli’s Recent Struggles
A number of factors led to Kohli’s out-of-character performance: Rust after Return: Kohli may have been struggling with match-sharpness after rejoining the ODI team following a seven-month break. NDTV Sports +1 Bowler’s Strategy Executed: Bartlett took advantage of Kohli’s propensity to play across the line by hitting him with tight lengths outside off stump. Australia’s cricket team +1 Pressure on the Mind: At this point in his career, Kohli is under a great deal of pressure. Retirement rumours have been fueled by his gesture to the crowd following the duck in Adelaide. The NDTV Sports Team Transition & Strategy: With younger players coming up behind, there are concerns about India’s reliance on veteran batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s failure and India’s series loss raise important questions:
Form & Future of Kohli: At 36, nearing the end of his ODI career, these consecutive defeats could necessitate a serious evaluation of his role and position in the team.
Why This Matters to Fans and the Cricket World:
Not just any batter, Kohli is a record-holder, a generational talent, and an icon of Indian cricket culture. Thus, his recent run of low scores against Australia in this series seems to be a narrative change rather than merely a statistical oddity. It illustrates how even the greatest players can have setbacks, how series momentum can change, and how cricket careers are short-lived. Furthermore, Australia’s series victory demonstrates their continued dominance in the 50-over format, particularly at home. It also demonstrates that bowler strategies, match preparation, and performance under duress continue to be key differentiators at the highest level.
Looking Ahead:
Regaining his touch must be Virat Kohli’s top concern right now. Whether it’s via domestic cricket, training sessions, or tweaking his technique, the hunger to bounce back will need to be stronger than ever. The third and final ODI in Sydney becomes more than simply a game for Team India; it’s a chance to make a statement. Can India turn things around, regain trust, and set the standard for upcoming white-ball matces?