Australia vs India 2018, 2nd ODI: How the world reacted to India's victory

The second ODI of the series saw Team India returning to winning ways and leveling the series. Here is how the match panned out.

Aaron Finch won the toss for the second consecutive time and elected to bat. Indian new ball bowlers kept the Aussies in check and did not allow them to score and accounted for both of them in the power play. Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh started building a partnership taking the attack to debutant Mohammad Siraj but the former was undone by Jadeja’s brilliance in the field.

Shaun Marsh though, continued with his merry ways, scoring 131 runs off just 123 balls. Glenn Maxwell’s lower-order contributions ensured that India was again set to chase a big target of 299 runs.

Indian openers started the chase positively, especially with Shikhar Dhawan playing an entertaining knock of 32 runs. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli then formed a 54-run partnership before Rohit was held out in deep. Rayudu, too perished after playing a scratchy innings.

From there, 'King Kohli' took hold of the chase and completed his 39th ODI century, but fell just after. But India’s lower middle-order in the form of Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni ensured that India completed the chase successfully and stay in the series.

Let us have a look at who said what:

Aaron Finch, losing skipper: "I thought we hung in there really well. They batted really well and you have to keep taking wickets and at the end it was always tough. When Dhoni is there we knew we had to get both of them out (Kohli and Dhoni). Credit to India, they played well. We played very well as well. Overall, it's a good game of cricket. Opening the batting and not getting enough runs, its one of those things I reckon. Always tough when you are not getting runs personally. Obviously bit easy when you are scoring runs and leading by example. Gotta be consistent with your game".

"He (Shaun Marsh) hung in there and then all clicked and to get that score in grueling conditions and the heat was really pleasing. I think it would have been nice for Jhye (Richardson) to bowl right at the end. At the end in ODI cricket, if you'd got in-batters and especially against experienced batters like MS, it's always tough. Always great playing cricket at the Home of cricket (MCG).

"It's going to be great series as if it isn't already and hoping to make it 2-1 at the MCG".

Virat Kohli, winning captain and player of the Match: "Very pleased. We wanted to try and restrict them in the end. To get them (Maxi and Marsh) in two balls was outstanding. That meant we were not chasing 330. Bhuvi was outstanding with the ball, he came back and brought back us back in the game towards the end. Vijay Shankar is in, so that's gives us an option to play him as an all-rounder. Backing five bowlers and getting job done is always a pleasing thing for a captain".

"You look for little moments to pump you up, I try and get into that zone. I try to stay as aware as possible. When it comes off it looks nice. I try and keep things simple. You have to take calculated risks. It was a really tough day, you saw MS in the end, he was tired as well. You need a good day's rest".

"There is no doubt that he shouldn't be a part of this team. Tonight was MS classic. He calculates the game so well. He backs himself to hit those big hits. Hats off to Dinesh as well. He came and showed great intent. We try and bat well together (MS and himself). Tonight was special for us".

Here is how Twitter reacted:

1) Harsha Bhogle

Dhoni has shown his class here. Just understood the situation beautifully. And this is a tribute to his fitness

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 15, 2019

2) Aakash Chopra

Kohli sets it up. Dhoni finishes it in style. Crucial runs from DK. Well done, 🇮🇳 #AusvInd https://t.co/EzR1tRSK4v

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 15, 2019

3) Ashwin Ravichandran

MSD polishes off yet another chase. 👏champion stuff. #INDvsAUS

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 15, 2019

4) VVS Laxman

Fantastic run chase by India . Excellent 100 from Virat, he makes it look very easy. Was wonderful to see Dhoni finish of the game beautifully and Dinesh Karthik’s cameo was very very important in the end. The final game should be a cracker.

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 15, 2019

5) Ramesh Shrivats

ODI targets for India - Below 200: Yawn! Dhawan can do this.200 to 250: Meh! Dhoni can do this.250 to 300: Hmm! Rohit can do this.Above 300: Ayyo! Only Kohli can do this.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) January 15, 2019

6) Boria Majumdar

Fantastic run chase. Delighted that @msdhoni and @DineshKarthik finished it. Very imp for both of them. And needless to say the skipper was stellar. Another 100 in a winning cause. @imVkohli is the best by a distance.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 15, 2019

7) Virender Sehwag

Picture abhi baaki hai mere Dost !Wonderful innings from Virat. Dhoni and Karthik finishing it in style. Will need more matches with 4-5-6 playing handy match-winning knocks. pic.twitter.com/YHdwJ0G59X

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 15, 2019

8) Jasprit Bumrah

Legends don't need to prove their worth to anyone. Great display of class and temperament by Mahi bhai @msdhoni and @imVkohli 👏👏👏Congratulations on the win!😁#AUSvIND

— Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) January 15, 2019

9) Gaurav Kapur

Dil se Dhoni ❤️🙌

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 15, 2019

10) Sachin Tendulkar

A great win and a fabulous innings by @imVkohli. Yet another at his adopted home ground😉. Excellent role played by @msdhoni and @DineshKarthik to take India over the line. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/7n3M2l3hZS

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 15, 2019