Australia leveled the ongoing three-match ODI series 1-1 against India with a display of sheer domination. Chasing a target of 118 runs, the Aussies cruised to 121/0 in 11 overs and thrashed India by 10 wickets at the YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium. Mitchell Marsh hammered an unbeaten knock of 66 off 36 balls. Meanwhile, Travis Head also played an unbeaten knock of 51 that included 10 fours.
Australia decided to bowl first after winning the toss as the conditions would have been helpful for the bowlers. Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc with the white ball swinging it both ways and the Indian batters had no answers to any of the deliveries. The left-arm pacer dismissed Shubman Gill for a duck in the very first over.
He then struck twice in the 5th over to dismiss India captain Rohit Sharma (13) and Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck.
Starc also removed KL Rahul (9) in the 9th over while Sean Abbott bagged Hardik Pandya for just 1. Virat Kohli, who showed some positive intent, walked back after scoring 31. Nathan Ellis removed Ravindra Jadeja (16) in the 20th over. Abbott then struck twice to remove Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav in the same over. Then Starc ended the Indian innings at 117 in the 26th over, cleaning up Mohammed Siraj for his fifer. Axar Patel remained unbeaten on 29.
In reply, Australian openers displayed an exhibition of powerful hitting and made the chase look like a minuscule task. Both teams will eye to win the series decider and clinch the title when they battle on March 22 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
