IND VS AUS: Australia Levels the Series, Wins Game at Vizag

IND VS AUS: After the Australian batting collapse in Mumbai, during the first Ind vs Aus ODI, a similar collapse was seen in the Vizag game but in the Indian camp. Steve Smith’s decision to bowl first during the overcast conditions proved to be fruitful with Mitchell Starc ripping off the Indian top order and picking up another 5-wicket haul. India put up a below-average target of 118 runs in front of Australia to level Ind vs Aus series.

A lack of a proper middle-order batter was evident in the Indian line-up with Suryakumar Yadav once again failing to do well. The Indian bowlers couldn’t pick up any wickets and Australia won the game by 10 wickets. Ind vs Aus series now stands at 1-1 with the decider to take place at MA Chidambaram namaste Stadium in Chennai. India’s struggle against the left-arm pacer will be a major problem for the team in regard to the ODI World Cup later this year.

Ind vs Aus series decider to take place at Chennai

Australian skipper Steve Smith was impressed with his team’s effort to level Ind vs Aus ODI series 1-1. Moreover one of the biggest positives for the visitors has been the performance of Mitchell Marsh as the opener in absence of David Warner. In the post-match presentation of second Ind vs Aus game, Smith said, “Was a quick one. Only 37 overs you don’t see that too often. Starc, with the new ball, put them under pressure.

It was a nice start to the day. I didn’t know how the wicket was going to play. There was no real total in mind. It was about going out there and executing our skills and hopefully putting Indians under pressure fortunately, we were able to do that. The way Head and Marsh played at the start, they just kept going and we were able to bounce back after the last game.”

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on the other hand wasn’t not with the results. The captain joined the team after missing first Ind vs Aus ODI series. He acknowledged that India kept losing wickets in quick succession which certainly troubled the cause. He also praised Mitchell Starc for his great spell of 5-53 in 8 overs. For the Indian team, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel were the only two players to cross 25 runs.