India and Australia are currently in action in Vishakhapatnam for the second of the three ODIs to be played in the ongoing series. India are coming into the game against the backdrop of a decent win in the first ODI played in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In reply, India bowled Australia out for 188 runs and chased down the target after a top-order collapse. KL Rahul, with an unbeaten 75, and Ravindra Jadeja, with an unbeaten 45, remained the stars for India, while Mohammed Shami returned with brilliant figures of 3/17.
In the second ODI, however, the story was somewhat different. For starters, the visitors won the toss and decided to bowl first. Bowling first, they restricted India to a meagre 117 as Mitchell Starc returned with a five-wicket haul. Complimenting him were his partners in crime, Sean Abbot picking up three wickets while Nathan Ellis returned with the remaining two scalps. It was a total pace bowling rampage as India could not find answers to the Aussies’ pace.
Australia need 118 to win from 50 overs
For India, only four batters could reach double figures. With 31 off 35, Virat Kohli remained the team’s highest scorer, while Axar Patel scored a crucial run-a-ball 29 to take India over the 100-run mark. Starc caused a rampage over the Indian top order as he picked up the first four wickets before India could cross the 50-run margin.
Australia now have an easy chase on the cards, requiring just 118 off 50 overs. However, small chases have always been the trickier ones in the game’s history. Notably, if Australia wins this ODI series, they will become the number one ranked ODI side of the world. Earlier in the tour, Australia lost the coveted four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series 2-1, with one Test remaining a draw. This is Australia’s third consecutive loss at the hands of India in the Test series. The two teams will again face each other in the Global Test Championship final in June at the Oval.
Here’s how fans reacted to Mitchell Starc’s magical spell:
Bhag, bhag, Sher ayaa
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) March 19, 2023
Never compare him with avg bowler Bumrah
— Aarav (@sigma__male_) March 19, 2023
Chill guys india ka saara dhyan main event ipl pe hai isbar ipl ki trophy India hi lega
— BoSs 👑 (@imsaadkhan275) March 19, 2023
Mood off 📴 pic.twitter.com/LXREmRv02n
— Ashishgupta (@Ashishgupji) March 19, 2023
GOAT Bengaluru blood Starc😍🐐 pic.twitter.com/hlaFhYi1u2
— Raviteja (@ravitejab2209) March 19, 2023
MS Dhoni owns Starc
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) March 19, 2023
Lala pic.twitter.com/veOovctOlM
— Samir (@SamirPubgWtf) March 19, 2023
Hongkong bully 😭 pic.twitter.com/BQty4UvmIf
— hksingh (@hksingh27) March 19, 2023
