The Indian batsman’s Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane scored half-centuries while dashing opener Rohit Sharma once again scored a hundred. Rohit Sharma is the only second Indian batsmen after VVS Laxman to hit back-to-back hundrends against Australia in Australia. But, Rohit’s centuries in this series goes in vain. The Aussie bowlers stopped Indian batsmans from posting a big total as the innings concluded at 308.
Australia openers Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch started the innings and constructed a good partnership of 145 run. Both of them got out for 71 runs and Steve Smith and George Bailey started to build the partnership. Steve Smith departs for 46, but Maxwell batted well. Australia won the match by 7 wickets and one over in spare. Australia lead the series as 2-0.
Indian opener Rohit Sharma awarded the Man of the Match for his blundering knock of 124. At the post-match presentation, Rohit said,“It’s always disappointing to be on the losing side, no matter how many you score on a given day. Love playing here, the wickets are good. You get value for your shots. Once you’re in, you can play your shots. That’s what I try to do when I go out. It’s not too bad, it’s quite humid here in Brisbane. I’m sure it will be pleasant in Melbourne.”
Indian captain Ms Dhoni answered why they lost in the second match despite scoring 300+ runs. Ms Dhoni said,“It’s a tough one. It seems we will have to score some big runs. Scoring back to back 300-scores is good. But looking at our bowling performance, we at least need to get 330 to put some pressure on the Australians. Most of the wides were not because of the swing. Even after the ball got old, we bowled a considerable number of wides. It takes the pressure off the opposition. Fielding was good from time to time, but overall we need to put more runs on the board. In the next game, we have to play more shots. We can be at the receiving end as well. At the same time, you have to go out there and enjoy as well. I think if we have to win, we will have to score 330 at least.”
Steve Smith, the skipper of Australia ODI team was very happy. At the presentation, Steve Smith said,“It was good tonight. At one moment we thought that they will score 350, but the boys did a terrific job to pull it back there. Shaun Marsh played well after settling in and Aaron Finch didn’t panic at all when the runs weren’t coming. They got those good 70-odd scores and allowed us to play ourselves in. They did it in the last game and they managed to restrict them (on bowlers doing well in the death overs). It’s good pressure on us. It will be nice to keep it that way (talking about the lower-order not getting a hit). George Bailey was magnificent tonight, he also didn’t panic at all and played some stunning shots.”
