||Desk Report||

India continued their winning streak beating Australia by 8 runs in the thrilling second ODI and led the 5-match series 2-0 in Nagpur on Wednesday.

With the help of Captain Virat Kohli ton, India posted 250 all out in 48.2 overs. In reply, Australia all dismissed at 242 in 49.3 overs.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first. India got early blow as they lost Rohit Sharma for naought in the first over of the innings. Another opener Shikhar Dhawan added 21 runs before his departure. The hosts lost another wicket of Ambati Rayudu (18) for a total of 75. However, the Captain Kholi along with Vijay Shankar took the command and added 81 runs in the fourth-wicket-stand, before the departure of the later for 46 runs. Then Kedar Jadhav sent back for 11, followed by MS Dhoni for the naught.

But, Kholi continued his inning and smashed a ton 116 off 120 balls including just 10 fours. However, Kholi again built a pair with Ravindra Jadeja in the seventh-wicket-stand. The pair added 67 runs before Jadeja was sent back by Cummins, followed by Virat Kohli. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed for 9 and Jasprit Bumrah for the naught. Mohammed Shami remained not out for 2. Pat Cummins took 2 for 29 while Adam Zampa claimed 2 for 62. India were being stopped at 250.

In chasing of 251, Captain Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja gave a solid start of 83 runs for the visitors within the 15^th over. The pair was broken by Kuldeep Yadav, who sent back Finch for 37. Then, Khawaja was also removed for 38. Shaun Marsh along with Peter Handscomb started to build a pair, but Ravindra Jadeja sent back Marsh for 16. Aussies found them into trouble when Glenn Maxwell returned for 4.

However, Handscomb along with Marcus Stoinis tried to resist but, an unfortunate run out overshadowed all the hope and Handscomb forced to return back for 48. Stoinis and Alex Carey then added 47 runs before Carey’s departure for 22. Australia were 218 for 6. Stoinis was still on the crease holding with one side of the wicket.

Then, the visitors stumbled again when Bumrah struck twice and picked up two wickets of Nathan Coulter-Nile for 4 and Pat Cummins for 0 in the 46^th over. But Stoinis was the main headache for the hosts, who smashed 52 off 65 balls. Finally, Australia were needed just 11 runs in 6 balls when Stoinis got a leg-before by India’s part-time bowler Vijay Shankar. Shankar then bowled Adam Zampa out in the third delivery of his over and Australia were being stopped at 242.

Brief Scores

India: 250