Adelaide, October 23 (NationPress) In the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, India bounced back from a shaky start, thanks to fifties from Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, finishing their innings at 264/9 in 50 overs. Alongside the duo, Axar Patel contributed 44 runs, and a late partnership of 37 runs between Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh fortified India’s total.

India was put to bat first and faced early challenges in the powerplay, with Xavier Bartlett taking two wickets in a single over, dismissing Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, leaving the team at a precarious 17/2 in just 6.5 overs. Despite a shaky start, Rohit steadied the innings, scoring 73 runs off 97 balls, decorated with nine fours and two sixes.

Iyer supported Rohit with a composed 61 runs off 77 balls, including seven boundaries, forging a vital 118-run partnership that helped stabilize the innings. Although Adam Zampa posed a threat, crucial contributions from Axar, Rana, and Arshdeep ensured a challenging total for Australia.

Josh Hazlewood maintained relentless pressure, bowling two maiden overs and finishing with 29 runs in ten overs, but without taking a wicket. In contrast, Zampa’s impressive figures were 4/60, while Bartlett concluded with 3/39, setting Australia a target of 265 runs to win the series.

India found themselves at 17/2 by the end of the seventh over, but the partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma was pivotal. Rohit cautiously navigated a challenging seven-over spell from Hazlewood, eventually finding his stride. Iyer, in his first ODI as vice-captain, displayed elegance and poise.

As the innings progressed, Rohit accelerated, reaching his 59th half-century in this format after 74 balls, blending caution with aggression, notably hitting two sixes off Mitchell Starc during a crucial 17-run over.

Iyer matched Rohit’s efforts, reaching his 23rd ODI fifty with a composed knock off 67 balls, guiding India past the 150-run mark against a struggling Australian bowling attack.

Just when India looked set for a strong finish, Starc broke the crucial partnership, dismissing Rohit for 73 with a well-placed short ball.

Following Rohit’s dismissal, Iyer continued scoring freely while Axar struck a couple of impressive boundaries off Starc. However, Zampa struck again, forcing Iyer to edge a wide ball onto the stumps for 61, marking the fourth time he has dismissed Iyer in ODIs.

Zampa continued his onslaught, claiming KL Rahul for 11 and later taking Axar’s wicket just six runs short of his fifty with a stunning catch by Starc. A flurry of late runs from Rana and Arshdeep ensured India crossed the 260-mark, setting a competitive total for Australia.

Brief Scores: India 264/9 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 73, Shreyas Iyer 61; Adam Zampa 4-60, Xavier Bartlett 3-39) against Australia.

–IANS