India rode on Virat Kohli's 92 and Kuldeep Yadav's hat-trick to beat Australia by 50 runs in the second of the five-match ODI series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, September 21. The Men in Blue now have taken a 2-0 lead in the series.
Chasing a tricky total of 253 on a two-paced wicket, Australia got off to a worst possible start as Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed openers David Warner and Hilton Cartwright early. However, skipper Steve Smith and Travis Head, who was gifted a life after Rohit Sharma dropped him on 15, stitched a 76-run stand.
India wrist-spinners, who have been given a lot of confidence by skipper Kohli, did repay his faith by striking at important moments. It was the leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who snapped the stand between Smith and Head by removing the later.
Chahal had another one, this time a big wicket, when he removed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for just 14.
Smith was then undone by a bouncer from Hardik Pandya, who had removed him in the first ODI on Sunday, September 17 as well.
Kuldeep's historic hat-trick
No Indian bowler had taken an ODI hat-trick since 1990 and only two -- Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma -- had scapled three in three before. However, the Australian lower-middle order, which has been clueless against spin in the ongoing series, helped Kuldeep achieve the historic feat.
With the wickets of Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar and Pat Cummins off three successive deliveries in the 33rd over, Kuldeep dealt a huge blow to Australia's chances.
Marcus Stoinis (62*) kept fighting, but it was not enough for the visitors to prevent India from winning the second match of the series.
Earlier in the day, India were bowled out for 252 in 50 overs by Australia despite a superb 92 from captain Virat Kohli. The hosts failed to capitalise on Kohli (92 off 107, 8x4) and Ajinkya Rahane's (55, 64 balls, 7x4) half centuries. Earlier, Kohli had won the toss and opted to take first strike.
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From 148/3 in 30 overs, India lost their way in the final 120 balls.
After Rohit Sharma (7) fell cheaply, Kohli and Rahane joined hands to put on 102 runs for the second wicket.
Also read: India-Australia series schedule
During their stay at the crease, Australian bowlers struggled in hot and humid conditions.
Initially, Kohli was troubled by the bowlers but later found his rhythm. He was well set for his 31st ODI century but dragged a delivery Nathan Coulter-Nile onto the stumps when on 92.
Rahane was earlier run out for a well-made 55, attempting a second run. Kohli's dismissal in the 38th over allowed Australia to make a strong comeback into the contest.
Manish Pandey (three), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (five) failed in the middle order. Kedar Jadhav (24) impressed briefly before exiting.
Towards the end, Hardik Pandya tried his best but Australian bowlers were clever in mixing up the deliveries, bowling cross-seam to deny him big shots.
Pandya enjoyed a reprieve when he was caught off a no-ball. And more drama was witnessed during that delivery as Australians appealed for a run out even as players ran off the ground with heavens opening up.
The umpires made the correct call and ruled Pandya not out. But Australian skipper Steve Smith and his team-mates were unhappy with the decision and argued with the umpires.
After 47.3 overs, rain stopped play and later clear skies helped India complete their quota of 50 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal (1) was run out off the final ball as the hosts were all out for 252.
Paceman Pat Cummins was the most economical bowler with figures of 1/34 from 10 overs. Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson picked three wickets apiece.
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade stuggled to cope with humid conditions and was not at 100 per cent fit. But he managed to stay on for the full length of the Indian innings.
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