India vs Australia 2nd ODI 2025 delivered one of the most thrilling cricket matches of the year, as Australia edged past India by two wickets at the Adelaide Oval to level the three-match ODI series 1-1. The contest had everything — early wickets, brilliant batting partnerships, tight bowling spells, and a tense finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Winning the toss, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh opted to bowl first, a decision that proved to be crucial as the Aussie bowlers restricted India to 264/9 in 50 overs. Despite a spirited batting effort led by Rohit Sharma’s 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s 61, India fell slightly short of a par total on a good batting surface. Australia, in reply, chased down the target with 22 balls remaining, thanks to a composed knock from Matthew Short and a stunning finish by Cooper Connolly, who remained unbeaten on 61 off 53 balls.
India’s Innings: Rohit and Iyer Build, Zampa Strikes Back
India’s innings got off to a shaky start when Xavier Bartlett dismissed Shubman Gill (9) and Virat Kohli (0) in the powerplay, leaving the visitors struggling at 17/2. The situation called for composure, and Rohit Sharma rose to the occasion. The Indian captain, who looked in sublime form, built a crucial 118-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, anchoring the innings after early losses.
Rohit’s innings of 73 off 97 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, was a masterclass in pacing an ODI knock. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer played a stabilizing role, scoring 61 off 77 deliveries with seven boundaries, ensuring India recovered to a solid position at 135/3.
However, leg-spinner Adam Zampa turned the game around with a spectacular spell of 4/60, dismantling India’s middle order. His wickets of Iyer, Axar Patel (44), KL Rahul (11), and Nitish Reddy (8) derailed India’s momentum just when they were looking to accelerate.
India’s lower order chipped in with small but important contributions — Harshit Rana’s unbeaten 24 off 18 balls and Arshdeep Singh’s 13 off 14 — helping India reach a competitive total of 264/9.
Bowling-wise, Mitchell Starc (2/62) and Bartlett (3/39) were instrumental, while Josh Hazlewood’s tight spell of 2.9 runs per over added significant pressure.
Australia’s Chase: Matthew Short Anchors, Connolly Finishes in Style
Chasing 265, Australia started cautiously, with Mitchell Marsh (11 off 24) and Travis Head (28 off 40) falling early to India’s disciplined attack. But the turning point came when Matthew Short, the eventual Man of the Match, walked in. His 74 off 78 balls was a display of controlled aggression and smart shot selection.
Short’s partnerships with Matt Renshaw (30 off 30) and later Cooper Connolly kept Australia in the hunt. The key was his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries when needed, keeping the required rate under control. His knock, laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes, helped Australia recover from 54/2 to 187/5 before he was dismissed by Harshit Rana.
When Short fell, the game seemed balanced. However, Cooper Connolly took charge. His unbeaten 61 off 53 balls, featuring 5 fours and a six, demonstrated remarkable maturity for a young player. Alongside Mitchell Owen (36 off 23), Connolly stitched a quickfire 59-run partnership, taking the game away from India’s grasp.
Despite late wickets from Washington Sundar (2/37) and Arshdeep Singh (2/41), Australia reached 265/8 in 46.2 overs, sealing a memorable win and leveling the series 1-1.
Bowling Efforts: India Fight Hard But Fall Short
India’s bowlers gave everything in defense of a modest total. Mohammed Siraj (1/49) and Arshdeep Singh (2/41) provided early breakthroughs, while Washington Sundar (2/37) controlled the middle overs with precision. Harshit Rana (2/59) impressed once again with his ability to generate bounce and movement.
However, India’s inability to contain runs in the death overs cost them dearly. Despite taking wickets at regular intervals, they couldn’t break Connolly’s resilience. Axar Patel (1/52) provided a crucial wicket but was expensive at times.
The bowling unit, though disciplined, lacked the killer instinct to finish off close games — something captain Shubman Gill, who led in Rohit’s absence in phases, admitted post-match.
Post-Match Reactions
Matthew Short, who was named Man of the Match, reflected on his innings with calm humility:
“The pitch played true, but India’s bowlers kept asking questions. I wanted to take responsibility and bat deep. Connolly’s composure at the end was special.”
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh lauded his team’s fightback:
“We showed character today. Short set the tone, and Connolly finished brilliantly. The bowlers did a great job upfront to restrict a strong Indian batting lineup.”
From the Indian camp, Shubman Gill acknowledged the missed opportunities:
“We had them under pressure multiple times, but couldn’t capitalize. Our bowlers were excellent in patches, but Connolly batted superbly. We’ll take lessons into the next match.”
Stats Snapshot
- Man of the Match: Matthew Short (Australia) – 74 off 78 balls
- India’s Top Scorer: Rohit Sharma – 73 off 97 balls
- Australia’s Top Scorer: Cooper Connolly – 61* off 53 balls
- Best Bowler (Australia): Adam Zampa – 4/60
- Best Bowler (Australia): Xavier Bartlett – 3/39
- Series Status: Australia 2 – 0 India (Three-match ODI series)
End of the Battle, Start of the Decider
The India vs Australia 2nd ODI 2025 was a perfect example of modern one-day cricket — tactical bowling, powerful hitting, and a nail-biting finish. With the series now tied, both teams will head into the decider with renewed focus.
For Australia, the emergence of Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly as dependable performers adds depth to their squad, while India will look to tighten their bowling in the death overs and rebuild confidence before the final match.
Cricket fans can expect another high-octane clash as two cricketing giants gear up for the series finale in Melbourne, where pride, momentum, and bragging rights will be on the line.
