The spectacular performance by Mitchell Starc in new-ball swing bowling truly left cricket enthusiasts in awe as he delivered a masterclass that dismantled India’s batting line-up in Visakhapatnam. Starc’s exceptional skills were on display as he picked up 5 crucial wickets for just 53 runs, marking his ninth five-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals. This outstanding effort set the stage for the fearless partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who took advantage of the minimal scoreboard pressure to capitalize on India’s misery. Marsh’s lightning-fast 28-ball fifty, followed closely by Head’s 50 off 29 balls, drove Australia to an astonishing victory, leveling the series 1-1. By chasing down the target in a mere 11 overs, the Australian team handed India their most resounding defeat in terms of balls remaining, a testament to the sheer dominance they displayed on that unforgettable day.
It was a masterclass from Mitchell Starc as he showcased his exceptional bowling skills, getting deliveries to swing inwards and angle across the right-hand batters simultaneously. His performance set the stage for Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis to form a dominating partnership and dismantle the opposing team’s lower middle order with surgical precision. The Australian pace trio sent shockwaves through the batting lineup, working harmoniously and efficiently to share all ten wickets between them. Remarkably, they completed their combined onslaught within a mere two hours and 20 minutes, leaving the rival team in disarray and undoubtedly cementing their legacy as a fearsome and potent bowling unit.
The brilliance of Mitchell Starc’s bowling was on full display as he skillfully angled deliveries to outsmart the Indian opening batsmen, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. The young Gill was unable to resist the temptation of driving a full and wide delivery away from his body, eventually succumbing to a duck in the very first over. This dismissal mirrored his fate in the Mumbai ODI, highlighting Starc’s astute understanding of the batsman’s weakness. Rohit Sharma, who replaced Ishan Kishan in the line-up, managed to score 13 runs mainly off leg-side flicks. However, even the experienced Rohit fell prey to Starc as he unwisely attempted a big shot against an equally wide ball, eventually edging it to the first slip. Starc’s calculated approach was key in securing these early wickets, demonstrating his mastery in strategically outplaying his opponents.
Following his disappointing performance in the first One Day International (ODI), Suryakumar Yadav stepped onto the field with determination to redeem himself from the haunting first-ball duck he had suffered. However, to his dismay, history repeated itself as Starc masterfully swung the ball into Yadav, landing him a second golden duck and leaving him questioning his own capabilities. The déjà vu continued as KL Rahul tentatively approached the pitch, aiming to avoid succumbing to a hat-trick delivery like in the previous match. Though he succeeded in avoiding that fate, the triumph was short-lived. Starc’s lethal inswinging delivery once more proved too challenging, and Rahul, the hero of the previous match with a half-century to his name, was trapped lbw for a meager 9 runs. The cunning delivery fooled him into playing a misjudged shot across the line, leaving both Yadav and Rahul to reflect on their undulating fortunes on the pitch.
India’s cricket team found themselves in a difficult position at 48 for 4, desperate for a recovery that seemed impossible to grasp. In an unfortunate turn of events, Hardik Pandya faced a deceptive length ball from Abbott, and his subsequent attempt to poke at it resulted in a stunning one-handed diving catch by Steven Smith at first slip, further sinking the team into peril. Hopes for redemption lay on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, who valiantly attempted to breathe new life into the innings. However, fate had other plans – Kohli, with 31 runs under his belt, was caught in a lbw trap by Ellis after he swiped across the line to a full ball. Foregoing a review of the on-field decision, Kohli accepted his fate, leaving Jadeja at the mercy of Ellis, who managed to come around the wicket and force Jadeja to edge a catch to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. At 91 for 7, India found themselves cornered with a silenced crowd, their spirits thoroughly dampened.
Axar Patel played a crucial role in India reaching triple-digits with his unbeaten 29 runs, showcasing patience and strategy. Initially, he was cautious and partnered well with Kuldeep Yadav, helping India surpass the 100-run mark. However, when Kuldeep and Mohammad Shami were dismissed in quick succession by Abbott, Axar recognized the need to accelerate his scoring. Displaying sheer determination, he audaciously smacked Starc for two consecutive sixes. Unfortunately, Axar’s valiant effort could not save the match as his last batting partner, No. 11 Mohammed Siraj, was ultimately dismissed by Starc, who claimed his fifth wicket and ended India’s innings. On the other hand, the opposing team’s Marsh and Head made it impossible for India to engage in any form of fightback. Head’s powerful 30-ball 51 was impressive, but it was Marsh’s astounding 66 off 36 balls that truly bolstered their team’s performance, stymying India’s chances of a comeback.
The thrilling cricket duel between Siraj and Shami took an interesting turn when they decided to go for the short ball after their full deliveries were skillfully handled during the early overs. As the sun began to set, promising perfect batting conditions, the openers displayed their proficiency against the short ball, turning the game into an enthralling spectacle. With his exceptional gameplay, Marsh not only scored a second straight fifty after his first ODI victory but also exhibited his mastery in pulling, driving, and punching. On the other hand, Head’s boundaries may not have been as elegant, but his powerful four consecutive fours against Shami in the sixth over were undoubtedly a remarkable moment in the game. As Australia’s score surged past 50, Marsh further displayed his dominance by launching an astonishing three sixes during a single Hardik over, ultimately leading his team to a triumphant finish in the 11th.
The excitement surrounding the ODI series has reached its peak as the thrilling face-off will come to a dramatic conclusion in Chennai on Wednesday. Australia’s burgeoning confidence stems from their success in rattling India’s formidable batters in the previous two encounters. This impressive display of bowling prowess has undoubtedly tipped the scales in their favor as they head into the final game. The looming showdown in Chennai has cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating a fierce battle between the two teams, as Australia will surely be vying for victory while India aims to redeem themselves on home turf. With both sides feeling the pressure, this decisive match promises to be an electrifying spectacle that will leave spectators on the edge of their seats.
