By: Tarish Bhatt
It turned out almost a repeat of WACA – Rohit Sharma scoring century, India fail to give finishing touch, Australia chasing down 300 plus with ease – as Australia doubled their advantage in the ODI series.
The Aussies again showed their batting prowess, and riding on their top-order, completed a comprehensive seven-wicket win over India at the Gabba.
India definitely had their chances, but dropping catches at crucial junctures cost them dearly, as Australia are now leading the five-match series 2-0.
Earlier, India repeated their WACA performance with the bat, and posted 308 on the board. They, however, ended up 30-40 runs short owing to losing wickets toward the fag end of the innings.
Rohit Sharma continued his superb run with the bat, and scored his second successive century of the series. He was supported well by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
Both Kohli and Rahane scored fifties, but none of them managed to play till the end. Rahane, in particular, lost momentum after the departure of Rohit.
To chase down 309 Australia needed a solid start, and they got one from Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, who scored fifties and put their team on course of a win.
Steve Smith again proved to India’s nemesis and made a crucial partnership with George Bailey, who was again in his element, after the departure of Marsh.
Umesh Yadav flattened Smith’s off-stump to bring India back into the contest, but Bailey ensured no more hiccups in the chase and finished the job with Glenn Maxwell.
“Yeah it was good tonight, I think we did well to restrict them to 308. They were looking good for 350. The way we started was brilliant. Marsh and Finch didn’t panic and allowed us to play freely at the end.
“The bowlers did well in the last game, they pulled India back at the back end today too,” Smith says. “I’m sure Wade and Faulkner will get a hit and do well when the get the chance. Bailey was excellent again.”
