India has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the ODI series against Australia, with key performances providing a significant confidence boost heading into the 2023 World Cup. Players like Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav have shown their form, and Ravichandran Ashwin’s strong performance has raised his chances of being included in India’s World Cup squad, which will be finalized in less than two weeks.
While India’s preparations look solid, even if they lose the third ODI, their World Cup readiness remains intact. Join us for live coverage of the third ODI between India and Australia on Wednesday. For now, it’s goodbye from the commentary team: Nikhil, Pradeep, Abhinand, and Praveen. Good night!
Player of the Match – Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance in the second ODI. Reflecting on his journey, Iyer shared:
“It was a rollercoaster ride, and I’m feeling fantastic. My teammates, friends, and family were there for support. Even though the pain and niggles kept coming, I knew what I aimed for and executed my plans perfectly today.”
Iyer also emphasized his readiness to bat at any position, recognizing Virat Kohli’s place at No. 3:
“Virat is one of the greats, and there’s no chance of taking his spot. I just need to keep scoring wherever I bat.”
KL Rahul – India’s Captain
KL Rahul, India’s captain, reflected on the team’s performance:
“We put 400 on the board, which gives us confidence. Our jobs are clear: focus on your role when selected. Fielding under lights is tough, and we’ve made a few errors, but we will learn from them and improve.”
Rahul highlighted the team’s focus on World Cup preparations, emphasizing players’ determination to perform well and seize opportunities.
Steve Smith – Australia’s Captain
Steve Smith, the Australian captain, credited India for their dominant performance while acknowledging Australia’s shortcomings:
“I thought the wicket looked good, but credit to India, especially Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who took the game away from us. After the rain, the wicket became sticky and started to spin. We need to sort out a few things ahead of the World Cup.”
Smith expressed hope that Australia can turn things around in the final match of the series.
Record-Breaking Performances in India vs Australia ODIs
Highest 9th Wicket Partnerships for Australia in ODIs:
- 115 – James Faulkner & Clint McCay vs India (2013, Bengaluru)
- 88 – Shaun Marsh & Doug Bollinger vs England (2011, Hobart)
- 77 – Michael Bevan & Shane Warne vs West Indies (1999, Port of Spain)
- 77 – Sean Abbott & Josh Hazlewood vs India (2023, Indore)
Most Sixes in an Innings from No. 8 or Below for Australia:
- 6 – James Faulkner vs India (2013, Mohali)
- 5 – Sean Abbott vs India (2023, Indore)
Most International Wickets for India Against a Team:
- 144 – Ravichandran Ashwin vs Australia
- 142 – Anil Kumble vs Australia
Most ODI Wins Without a Defeat at a Venue:
- 9 – New Zealand, University Oval, Dunedin
- 7 – India, Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
India’s ODI Series Wins Against Australia:
- 3-2 – Home, 1986
- 2-0 – Home, 2023 (with one match to go)
Shubman Gill – Confident and Satisfied
Shubman Gill expressed his satisfaction with India’s performance:
“It feels good. We have momentum at the right time, and with the way KL and Surya played, we were able to keep the momentum going. A target of 400 was going to be tough on any surface, but the bowlers did their job.”
Gill also shared a special moment from the game:
“The six against Green down the ground was really special for me.”
Conclusion: India’s Solid Preparation for the World Cup
India’s dominant performance in the second ODI and their 2-0 lead in the series is a massive confidence booster heading into the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team’s balance, with Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin performing well, shows that they are peaking at the right time.
On the other hand, Australia has work to do ahead of the World Cup, as they aim to correct their mistakes and turn things around in the final ODI of the series.