Young gun makes statement as Australia claims ODI series

Australia has claimed series victory in the One Day format against the World No.1s in India with a two-wicket win in their second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, with one match left to play.

Coming into the match with a 1-nil lead, the home nation made three changes as they added the experience of Alex Carey, Adam Zampa and Xavier Bartlett in favour of Josh Philippe, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Ellis.

India decided to keep an unchanged eleven from their match in Perth.

Things would stay the same for India before the game, as for the 17th time in a row in One Day matches, they had lost the coin toss.

This would see Australia elect to bowl first.

And while the visitors got off to a better start compared to the First ODI, wickets soon followed in the power play.

The introduction of Bartlett for Mitchell Starc at the fifth over proved to be a great move by captain Mitch Marsh, as in Bartlett's second over, he snared the wickets of Indian captain Shubman Gill for nine and Virat Kohli for a four-ball duck (his second for the series), helping Australia get out to another dream start.

But the combination of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer managed to steady the innings following those early wickets, as they formed a 118-run partnership between the middle overs.

That would then be broken up with Starc coming into the attack to remove Sharma for 73 runs in the 30th over.

Whilst most of their remaining batters managed to make runs, they were unable to build big partnerships with Australia consistently taking wickets to break up any momentum.

However, a rally from India’s tail end in the last overs saw the visitors manage to set a total of 264 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

With a chaseable target of 265, Australia’s opening pair of Marsh and Travis Head started slowly before beginning their big hitting from the seventh over.

That proved to be short-lived for both.

Marsh was out for 11 after hitting a four in the previous ball, while Head managed 28 runs before being caught off a leading edge a couple of overs later.

But instead of Australia’s experience helping guide them to victory, it would be the inexperienced trio of Matt Short, Cooper Connolly and Mitch Owen that managed to get the runs needed.

Short, who had a bloody ring finger after cutting it whilst fielding, managed to score a game-high 74 runs whilst forming 50+ run partnerships with Matt Renshaw and Connolly.

However, it was the partnership of the 22-year-old and Owen that changed the game for Australia.

The duo during their shared time at the crease, managed 59 runs within the space of 39 balls, which broke the game in their favour as they were able to get above the required run rate.

While Owen was unable to see the game out, the West Australian did with Arshdeep Singh bowling a wide ball to him, which saw Australia reach their target in a rather anti-climactic way.

But despite the finish, Marsh was certainly impressed with the next generation of Australian cricketers to come.

“The future’s bright for Australian cricket when you’ve got those guys,” he said to Fox Cricket post-game.

This series win also marks the first time since their five-match series against England last year that Australia has claimed a series victory in the ODI format after being defeated in their previous three bilateral series.

The third and final ODI takes place this Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with SEN having LIVE coverage through its radio network and the SEN app from 1:58pm AEDT.

10:50pm - Adam Zampa claims Man of the Match award

Having missed the first ODI due to his wife being on the verge on giving birth to their second child, Adam Zampa has claimed the man of the match.

He was the leading wicket taker for the match with four wickets at an economy rate of six runs per over.

10:36pm - Wide call hands Australia the One Day series win

In one of the most anti-climatic finishes, it's the umpires that have decided the match result with Arshdeep Singh's last ball being called a wide.

Australia 8/266 after 46.2 overs.

10:32pm - Wicket - Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is out on four runs after playing a cut shot which found Axar Patel.

Adam Zampa now comes to the crease with Australia needing five runs to win and claim the series.

With two wickets left, the door is not closed on India.

Australia 8/260 after 45.5 overs

10:22pm - Wicket - Xavier Bartlett

Bartlett has hit the ball with the toe of the bat and has found the Indian captain Shubman Gill.

That sees Arshdeep Singh claim his second wicket for the match.

The Brisbane Heat fast bowler managed to make three runs off five balls.

Australia 7/255 after 44.3 overs

10:12pm - Wicket - Mitch Owen

Just as it looked like he was going to power Australia home, Mitch Owen has fallen for 36 runs.

He went to hit the ball over long on, but unlike his previous shots, he didn't get all of it, which saw Arshdeep Singh get underneath it.

Xavier Bartlett is the next man with Australia just needing 19 runs to claim the match and series win against the World No. 1s in India.

Australia 6/246 after 42.3 overs

10:09pm - Australia puts their foot on the pedal

Mitch Owen and Cooper Connolly are trying to finish this game as soon as possible.

The two middle order batters have swung the bat to great affect to see the Aussies get within under 20 runs of the total with just under eight overs left.

Connolly has also claimed his first half century in international One Day cricket with 50 of 60 career runs having been from today.

And his performance has left Bharat Sundaresan seriously impressed.

"This seems like a marker, this feels like a statement from this young man," he said on SEN Cricket.

"In a crunch time game, with all the pressure on him when he walked out to bat, he's delievered the goods."

Australia 5/246 after 42.2 overs

10:06pm - What can India do to try and break the game?

Chadd Sayers has posed some of the questions that India needs to answer to try and turn the game in their favour.

SAYERS: "For India now, it is how are we going to get this break through, isn't it?"

"Do we have to bring a fielder up to try and make them play a false shot?"

"What bowling change are we going to with?"

"Are we fit enough to get through the Australians?"

Australia 5/235 after 41.3 overs

9:54pm - Owen smokes yet another one

Like he did in his international T20 debut, Mitch Owen does not look out of place in an Australia jersey.

He's just hit his second six of the match in the space of 14 balls.

And this had led Bharat Sundaresan to question whether it is the right call to have Harshit Rana bowling to him.

BHARAT: "I think it is confusing captaincy for me."

"Harshit Rana is exactly what Mitch Owen wants to face right now."

"Go to one of your senior bowlers like Siraj or Arshdeep, this is just easy pickings as this game's running away from India."

Australia 5/213 after 39.2 overs

9:38pm - Wicket - Matt Short

The third time is the charm for India as they have managed to claim the wicket of Matt Short through Harshit Rana.

Short has tried to hit towards the SACA Members, but he didn't get all of it, which saw Mohammed Siraj redeem himself with a catch on the boundary after dropping Short on 55.

The Victorian made 74 with Mitch Owen set to face his first ball in international ODI cricket.

Australia 5/187 after 36 overs

9:34pm - Matt Short breaks record with style

With a sweeping six over backwards square leg, Matt Short has managed to break his previous career best innings in international ODIs.

He's now on 69.

Australia 4/175 after 35 overs

9:29pm - Australia within 100 runs of the target

It's almost exactly a run a ball needed for Australia to claim the ODI series against India.

Cooper Connolly and Matt Short have built up a solid partnership.

But they need to increase their output in the coming overs to ensure that the run rate doesn't balloon out.

Australia 4/166 after 34 overs

9:20pm - Connolly achieves a career best innings

With a great boundary past extra cover, Cooper Connolly has broken double digits for the first time in his international ODI career.

Matt Short could also follow suit and break his personal best if he can add another six runs to his total of 58 runs.

Australia 4/153 after 31.4 overs

9:08pm - Short survives once again

Mohammed Siraj has dropped an absolute sitter, which has seen Matt Short remain at the crease once again.

It was hit right at him at point, but as he was about to catch it, he lost his footing, which saw him bobble the ball and sees a chance go begging.

It's the second time that Short has been dropped in his innings after Axar Patel dropped him in the 20s.

Australia 4/141 after 30 overs

9:01pm - Wicket - Alex Carey

Carey attempts a sweep shot but doesn't get anything on it and left his stumps to be hit by Washington Sundar with Bharat Sundaresan calling it a loose shot.

BHARAT: "A very loose shot from Carey."

Australia 4/132 after 27 overs

8:56pm - Short lifts the bat for half ton

It's his third ODI fifty in his career. If he can make another 14 runs, it'll be his best innings that he's had for Australia in the format.

Australia 3/130 after 26 overs

8:39pm - Wicket - Matt Renshaw

The Queenslander has been bowled with Axar Patel bowling a slightly slower ball.

Renshaw was down the track trying to smash it, but he's been deceived, which left him in no man's land.

The No. 4 made 30 runs from 30 balls.

Alex Carey is the next man in.

Australia 3/109 after 21.4 overs

8:37pm - Current attendance - 37,704

Australia 3/109 after 21.3 overs

8:29pm - Bharat: This has to be the coming of age innings from Matt Short

Having been recalled into the ODI squad for the India series, the Victorian has a prime opportunity to really solidify his spot in the top six.

Australia 2/99 after 19.2 overs

8:18pm - Could Renshaw enhance Ashes chances with this knock?

With Travis Head's departure, that has brought Matt Renshaw to the crease.

And with Australia just over 180 runs away from the target, a solid knock tonight could help increase Renshaw's chances of featuring in the Ashes, according to Gerard Whateley and Bryce McGain.

WHATELEY: "In a innings like this, where time is on his side, there's a lot of runs to work with. If he was to put up a score of substance tonight and play a big role, he would further his case in plenty of minds."

MCGAIN: "It could be fair to say if he goes on to win the game from this situation, because that's a stronger currency than just the runs.

"It franks form that I take you through from a challenging situation but to shaking the opposition's hands, you're there when the winning runs are hit, it could step him straight into that team."

Renshaw is currently on 15 runs off 17 balls.

Australia 2/81 after 17 overs

8:00pm - Is India the favourite to win?

With the wicket of Travis Head, it seems to have tipped the game in India's favour.

The Fox Cricket Win predictor currently has India has the favourite to win this match.

Australia 45% chance of winning vs India 55% chance of winning.

SEN Cricket's Bryce McGain also thinks that the game is evenly poised believing that the current partnership of Matt Renshaw and Matt Short will be crucial to Australia's chances.

MCGAIN: "It is evenly poised here, if not India is in front."

"But the platform needs to be set by these two."

Australia 2/58 after 13.2 overs

7:53pm - Wicket - Travis Head

The hometown boy has been unable to get another century against India.

Head got caught in an awkward position, which created a leading edge.

That saw the ball balloon up and was subsequently caught by Virat Kohli at silly mid off.

The opener departs after making 28 runs off 40 balls.

Australia 2/54 after 12.2 overs

7:41pm - Short finishes powerplay with towering shot

Matt Short has hit a giant six to finish off the powerplay.

The Aussies find themselves 13 runs ahead of where India was at the same time with one extra wicket in hand.

It is a positive sign if you're an Australian fan.

Australia 1/42 after 10 overs

7:30pm - Wicket - Mitch Marsh

Mitch Marsh after nailing a boundary shot tried to go big again.

But instead, he's got an edge off an Arshdeep Singh out swinger which was taken easily by KL Rahul behind the stumps.

He goes out after making 11 runs.

Matt Short comes in at No. 3.

Australia 1/30 after 7.2 overs

7:15pm - Kumar Reddy almost takes a blinder

Nitish Kumar Reddy almost pulled off the catch of the summer to dismiss Travis Head.

The South Australian hit the ball in the air towards mid-wicket.

And the outstretched hand of Kumar Reddy managed to reach it, but wasn't able to hold onto it as he came down.

An unbelievable effort to say the least, which would have seen Head dismissed for five runs.

Australia 0/10 after 4.1 overs

7:04pm - Are Australia the favourites to win?

CHADD SAYERS: "Yeah I think so, it's a competitive score, 264 and the tail end did a really good job to get India to that mark."

"It's going to be the first 10 overs, can India strike while they've got the new ball?"

"Or will Mitch Marsh get the Aussies off to a flyer like they usually do?"

GERARD WHATELEY: "It's got to be early wickets for India doesn't it?"

"Just so Australia don't get into that groove to be able to control that pace of it."

Australia 0/8 after 3.0 overs

6:55pm - Marsh and Head make their way

The Australian openers are ready to go with Mohammed Siraj set to ball the first ball to Mitch Marsh.

Australia are chasing 265 to claim the win and ODI series against the World No.1s in India.

Australia 0/0 after 0.0 overs

6:51pm - LISTEN: Jake Fraser-McGurk on his red ball aspirations

He's made a name for himself in the white ball formats, but Jake Fraser-McGurk has revealed that he has given up on some overseas opportunities to focus on the long-form game.

"I do, I've been working really hard this year on red ball cricket," he said during SEN Cricket's coverage of the ODI.

"I gave up an opportunity to go to the Hundred and spend a month in Adelaide to do some red-ball work.

"I've played three red ball games, one second XI and a couple of practice games (and) I've done really well in all three of those.

"I'm working really hard towards getting back into that (South Australian) Shield team."

To listen to the full chat, hit the play button below.

6:26pm - INNINGS BREAK

India has managed to make 264 runs across their 50 overs for the loss of nine wickets.

While that total might seem low (and it is defintely chaseable) considering that they were on track for somewhere between 230 to 250 towards the back end, it alleviates some pressure for the Indian bowlers.

Australia will be left to chase 265 runs.

6:23pm - Wicket - Arshdeep Singh

Singh has been bowled by Mitchell Starc.

One ball left, what can India do?

India 9/263 after 49.5 overs

6:18pm - One over to come

India are certainly finishing strong having managed to score 26 runs with two overs left.

But Xavier Bartlett has managed to only concede just four runs with one left to go.

Mitchell Starc will finish the innings out.

India 8/259 after 49 overs

6:07pm - Rana pounces on Zampa

The fast bowler has hit Zampa for three fours seeing the spinner conceding 16 from the over.

That pushes Rana's total to 20 runs.

India 8/245 after 47 overs

5:59pm - Wicket - Nitish Kumar Reddy

Kumar Reddy came down the crease and missed the ball which left Alex Carey with a pretty regulation stumping.

This has seen Adam Zampa go to an innings high of four wickets.

And Bryce McGain was certainly not impressed by Kumar Reddy's decision.

MCGAIN: "That was just reckless. I'm really surprised."

"To leave them completley vulnerable at eight for 226 with five overs to go...boy, I wonder what his coach will have to say."

They're going to need to throw the kitchen sink to get anything beyond 270.

India 8/226 after 45.1 overs

5:54pm - Wicket - Axar Patel

Just when you think an Indian batter has gotten their eye in, they seem to perish.

This time, it's Axar Patel who tried to hit Adam Zampa out of the park, but the ball just stays within the playing field.

And Mitch Starc has managed to keep the ball within the boundary, having to flick the ball to himself to be able to make the catch on the second try..

India 7/223 after 44.1 overs

5:43pm - Wicket - Washington Sundar

Another wicket falls for India with Washington Sundar falling for 12 runs.

He's tried to get it past Hazlewood at deep mid wicket but didn't get enough on it.

That's now Xavier Bartlett's 15th wicket for Australia in five ODIs, putting him at an average of 10.27.

India 6/213 after 41.5 overs

5:30pm - Should India hold off 'pulling the trigger'?

SEN Cricket's Bharat Sundaresan feels that the losses of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in quick succession might force India to delay their push in the final 10 overs.

BHARAT: "And now, because the innings will revolve around what Axar Patel does...so he might have to hold back pulling the trigger.

"Australia could sneak in a couple of quieter overs again."

India 5/191 after 39.2 overs

5:19pm - Wicket - KL Rahul

After being hit for a boundary, Adam Zampa has once again followed that up by getting a wicket.

This time, its the wicket of KL Rahul for 11 runs off 15 balls.

He tried to pull through the covers but Rahul has missed it and the ball has gone on to hit off stump.

India 5/174 after 36.2 overs

5:01pm - Wicket - Shreyas Iyer

After hitting him for four runs the ball prior, Adam Zampa gets his revenge on Shreyas Iyer, bringing his innings to an end for 61 runs.

It's the fourth time that the leg spinner has gotten Iyer out in the ODI format, having managed to hit his wickets.

SEN Cricket's Bharat Sundaresan gave his thoughts on the dismissal.

BHARAT: "Like he has done so often in his career, Adam Zampa gets hit for a boundary and comes back and takes a wicket."

"Like the previous delivery, he (Iyer) didn't get into position, tried to swing it over mid-wicket, his head fell away."

"All he managed was an inside edge onto his stumps."

"He gave it a little bit more air, and that's the courage that we expect from Adam Zampa."

India 4/160 after 32.4 overs

4:43pm - Wicket - Rohit Sharma

Mitchell Starc has come on and snagged the big wicket of Rohit Sharma.

You could sense that India was going to go big sooner rather than later, with the Indian opener trying to hit the ball behind square leg.

But he's found Josh Hazlewood to end his innings on 73.

And Gerard Whateley made his feelings known about his dismissal.

WHATELEY: "And Rohit Sharma quite frankly has thrown it away."

BHARAT: "It got a little big on him."

"You generally see him deposit that slightly squarer like he did with Mitch Owen (in the 18th over),

"This time, all he could do was hit it to the fielder."

SAYERS: "It's probably the angle as well, isn't it?"

"The left arm over the wicket just cramped him up a little bit."

"Couldn't get his arms free."

Axar Patel comes to the crease.

India 3/135 after 29.3 overs

4:38pm - Shreyas Iyer makes 50 runs

Donning the floppy hat while Adam Zampa and Cooper Connolly bowl to him, the Indian No. 4 has brought up his half century off 67 balls.

That's his 23rd in the ODI format.

India 2/130 after 28.2 overs

4:34pm - Sharma and Shreyas bring up the 100 run partnership

After being 2/17 after seven overs, Indian fans would have had fears that they were set for another top order collapse.

But the combination of Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma has helped steady the innings which has left Gerard Whateley impressed.

WHATELEY: "They've rescused the innings."

They're still at a run rate of 4.3 per over but expect that to ramp up sooner rather than later.

India 2/125 after 27.5 overs

4:29pm - The unlucky streak plaguing India

Earlier in the game, India lost the toss.

This has continued their unlucky streak of not having won a coin toss since the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, meaning they have lost the coin toss in 17 straight games.

That's a one in 131,072 chance of that happening. Absolutely absurd.

India 2/104 after 25 overs

4:17pm - Sharma makes 50

It's been a tough innings but there's a reason why Rohit Sharma is considered one of the best ODI batters that the game has seen.

After what was a slow start and survived a DRS review, the former Indian captain has brought up his 59th half century in ODI cricket.

Can he continue to build his innings as India takes control of the match?

India 2/94 after 21.5 overs

4:05pm - Sharma goes bang

It's taken him a fair while to get into his innings but Rohit Sharma is now up and going.

After making 30 runs off just over 60 balls, he has made the most of Mitch Owen's bowling having hit the first two sixes of the match over backwards square leg.

He's now on 44 runs and is building a steady partnership with Shreyas Iyer with the two having combined for 67 runs.

India 2/84 after 19.3 overs

3:57pm - Will Kohli make the 2027 World Cup?

Having already retired from Tests and T20s, Virat Kohli is only playing ODIs internationally with the intention of trying to make the 2027 ODI Cricket World Cup.

But with his poor performances in this series, could this Kohli, the third-highest run scorer in ODI cricket, miss out on what will be his fifth CWC?

Gerard Whateley and Bharat Sundaresan discussed his chances on SEN Cricket.

WHATELEY: "So Kohli, 304 One Day internationals, 292 innings; we've recounted 14,181 runs, 51 centuries, 18 ducks, sort of the price of doing business, 18 ducks from 292 innings is okay."

"But back-to-back ducks in your late 30s...that's the problem."

BHARAT: "Two years is a long time away. It looks longer now."

India 2/59 after 17.1 overs

3:40pm - McGain: Starc for Bartlett was a master move

It's been a stellar start for Australia.

In the powerplay, they have managed to nab the wickets of captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli while keeping India to just 29 runs.

Reflecting on the game during the drinks break, SEN Cricket's Bryce McGain felt that the moment to bring Xavier Bartlett into the attack for Mitchell Starc at the fifth over mark was a 'master move' by Mitch Marsh.

MCGAIN: "It was a master move from Mitch Marsh to say to Mitchell Starc, 'Nah, you haven't got as much out of the wicket as I've though'."

"And then he's brought on Xavier Bartlett on, who's a swing bowler and nips it off the wicket and he made impact straightaway like he usually does."

India 2/41 after 13.0 overs

3:25pm - Rohit Sharma gets medical treatment during the drinks break

It's the first drinks break for the game and the former Indian captain has used the time to seek medical treatment on his arm.

India 2/33 after 11.0 overs

3:05pm - Wicket - Virat Kohli

The X-Man has struck again, and he's snared the big one of Virat Kohli.

Xavier Bartlett has managed to pitch it outside off and swing it in, which has beaten the bat of the Indian great.

After making an eight-ball duck in Perth, Kohli has followed it up with a four-ball one in Adelaide.

Not the start he would have hoped, for what could be his last series on Australian soil.

Gerard Whateley reacted in the commentary box noting that it is not the way he would have wanted that to go.

WHATELEY: "It's such a shame."

"It's beautifully done by a young and emerging quick."

"But not the way that Virat Kohli wanted his career at (the) Adelaide Oval to come to an end."

India 2/17 after 6.5 overs

3:01pm - Wicket: Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has been dismissed for nine runs with Mitch Marsh catching him at mid-off.

The Indian captain was certainly more attacking compared to his opening partner.

India 1/17 after 6.1 overs

2:55pm - DRS REVIEW

Rohit Sharma has survived a LBW scare after what has been a slow start to his innings.

He has faced 27 of the 36 balls bowled having only managed eight runs.

He was struck on the pad by Josh Hazlewood with the decision intially called not out.

Mitch Marsh reviewed the decision and the call has stayed the same with snicko showing a clear sound when he was trying to play a lofted shot.

2:43pm - Run out scare

Mitch Owen's throw at the stumps saw Shubman Gill almost run out for a duck.

It was close enough that it went up to the third umpire, which showed that he was just within his crease.

Gerard Whateley and Bharat Sundaresan have given their thoughs on SEN Cricket.

WHATELEY: "He thought it was through, trouble is, his turning circle is sluggish these days, so Owen’s had a crack. Direct hit and sharp bit of work, and he’s made it by 10cm."

BHARAT: "Nothing like a cover drive like that to say 'Yes, I am the next king of Indian cricket."

And he's followed that up with a lovely drive through the covers on the off side to get his first runs for the match.

India 0/11 after 3.0 overs

2:30pm - WE'RE UNDERWAY

Rohit Sharma faces the first ball from Mitchell Starc.

India 0/0 after 0.0 overs

2:08pm - Coin toss results

Like the first ODI in Perth, captain Mitch Marsh has once again elected to bowl first.

2:04pm - Teams announced

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohl, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arsheep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

2:00pm - Welcome to the live blog

It's a beautiful day in the City of Churches as we're just half an hour away from starting.

The coin toss and team announcements are just seconds away.

__Renahw's changes __

Back in Australia colours, Matt Renshaw has lifted the lid on how he used to obsess with what his rivals were doing more than focusing on his own game.

The 29-year-old, who is back in the ODI squad currently playing India and could steal an Ashes spot for the forthcoming series, used to leave the field to check scores in other matches to gauge where he stood in the order.

It’s a behaviour he said has now changed but used to totally consume him.

“You’re looking at different names, how they went, they scored a hundred and you scored a duck and you go, ‘Dammit, I am further back now’,” Renshaw said.

“I think now, the first Shield game, I couldn’t tell you who scored runs in other games – I was just trying to worry about our own game and trying to win for Queensland.

“That’s a better place for me to be, otherwise I just get too caught up in other people and not worrying about myself.”

Such was the surprise that George Bailey gave him the nod for the ODI series, he had to Google the dates, times and locations.