India clinched the second one day international of the three ODI match series against Australia on Tuesday in Adelaide. Indian captain Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 39th ODI hundred and MS Dhoni too impressed fans with a half century. The current and former captain shared a 82 run partnership for the fourth wicket.
India were chasing a target of 299 runs and levelled the series 1-1 in the last over.
Virat Kohli scored 104, while MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 55. Dinesh Karthik came towards the end and contributed 25 runs, just like old times Dhoni finished it for India in style with a final over six.
The opening pair Rohit Sharma (47) and Shikhar Dhawan (32) got India to a fantastic start. Dhawan was dismissed when India were at 47, and Kohli walked in. Sharma and Kohli got India to cross the 100th mark at the 18th over. Rohit was dismissed after being caught in the deep to Marcus Stoinis bowling.
Ambati Rayudu (24) came in but was struggling for timing, while the asking rate was also spriling. Rayudu was dismissed to Glenn Maxwell. Then Dhoni joined alongside Virat, the duo put a 82 run stand. Things picked up for India, as they crossed the 200th mark in the 37th over.
Then suddenly Kohli was dismissed in the 44th over off Jhye Richardson. Dhoni then took over and put on match-winning partnership with Karthik and also scored his half century.
Earlier during the Australian batting outing, the team lost two quick wickets at 26/2 when Shaun Marsh arrived. Marsh scored his seventh ODI hundred to take Australia to a challenging total. Marsh was supported on the other end by Glenn Maxwell (48).
Australia came out with an unchanged squad, and India brought in debutant Mohammed Siraj in place of Khaleel Ahmed. Siraj’s (0/76) spells were very expensive for India. He sprayed the ball all over and was never able to hit a consistent line. However the pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/45) and Mohammed Shami (3/58) took complete advantage of the new ball so that the Australian openers don’t get away.
Now since the series is levelled the decider match will be played this Friday.