Australia’s all-rounders Matt Short and Cooper Connolly struck vital half-centuries as the hosts clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over India at Adelaide Oval, sealing the ODI series with a game to spare.
Batting at number three, Short battled through a finger injury to score a gritty 74, while 22-year-old Connolly marked his first international fifty with an unbeaten 61. Their efforts guided Australia to chase down India’s 264 for nine with 3.4 overs remaining.
Despite a late wobble that saw the hosts slump to 260 for eight, Connolly held his nerve to push Australia to the brink before the winning run came via a wide delivery.
“It was good fun. I was obviously really nervous,” said the left-hander after the match. “Super stoked for the boys to get the win.”
India captain Rohit Sharma top-scored for the visitors with a hard-fought 73 off 97 balls, surpassing Sourav Ganguly to move into third place on India’s all-time ODI run-scorers list.
However, it proved a frustrating night for India, who dropped several catches and watched Virat Kohli register back-to-back ducks for the first time in his 300-plus ODI career.
The 36-year-old, potentially on his final tour with India, was trapped lbw by rising quick Xavier Bartlett on the fourth ball he faced—four deliveries fewer than his brief outing in the series opener in Perth, where he fell to Mitchell Starc and a stunning catch from Connolly.
Rohit and Iyer Rebuild, Zampa Strikes Back
After being sent in to bat on a bright afternoon, India were rattled early by Australia’s pace attack. Bartlett (3-39) removed skipper Shubman Gill for nine before claiming Kohli in the seventh over.
Rohit steadied the innings with his 59th ODI half-century, sharing a 118-run stand with Shreyas Iyer (61). But spinner Adam Zampa’s four-wicket haul (4-60) halted India’s momentum and earned him the player-of-the-match award on his return to the side.
Late resistance from Harshit Rana (24 not out) and Arshdeep Singh (13) lifted India to a competitive 264.
Australia’s chase began shakily as openers Mitchell Marsh (11) and Travis Head (28) fell cheaply, but Short and Matt Renshaw (30) rebuilt with determination. Short survived a major reprieve on 55 when Mohammed Siraj dropped a sitter at backward point, only for the bowler to later catch him off Rana for 74.
