Australia vs India: 3 Things we learnt from the 2nd ODI

India pulled off a sensational chase at the Adelaide Oval to level the series going into the final ODI at the MCG. Set 299 for victory, the visitors made it past the finish line courtesy a sublime century by their skipper, Virat Kohli and a well-crafted fifty by MS Dhoni.

Australia got off to a poor start and lost both their openers within the power-play. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar again went through Finch’s defense, Shami surprised Carey with a short delivery to send the wicket-keeper packing.

Shaun Marsh then joined hands with the likes of Khawaja, Stoinis and Maxwell to post a competitive total on the board.

In reply, the Indians got off to a flyer when Dhawan went ballistic at the top. After his dismissal, arguably India’s two best limited overs batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli combined to take India across the 100-run mark.

However, India were accorded a little wobble in the middle when Rohit and Rayudu failed to get going and the asking rate went over seven per over.

Yet, like many a time before, Dhoni and Kohli made sure that the total wasn’t beyond their reach and in the end, the visitors won with four balls to spare to stay alive in the series.

A lot of aspects came to light on a hot Tuesday at the Adelaide Oval. Thus, through this article, we take a closer look at the three things we learnt:

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#3 Mohammed Shami is shaping up to be the ideal back-up pacer

Shami is impressing in his second coming as an ODI bowler

Going into the 50-over world cup, India has most bases covered, yet one of those bucking the trend was that of the back-up fast bowler. Over the past year, the Indian team have tried a host of bowlers to complement Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar, but to none of them managed to seal their place. However, after throwing Mohammed Shami’s name into the fast bowling attack, their search seems to be finally bearing fruit.

The pacer was impressive in the first ODI and today again, he started from where he left off in Sydney. Shami ended up with 3 for 58 in the second ODI and fulfilled every task asked of him.

The pacer bowled with fire in the initial overs and extracted movement off a seemingly docile pitch. However, it was his death bowling that was the cause of most joy.

Entrusted with bowling in the slog overs, he performed with aplomb and mixed his pace while also bowling the yorkers to perfection.

The hunt for a back-up fast bowler has been quite arduous and so far, it had been futile. Yet, by going back to the tried and tested Shami, the Indian team management might have just pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

#2 Australia no closer to solving their death bowling conundrum

Siddle has failed to impress so far

Australia decided to rest their premier fast bowlers for the ODI series against India after a grueling test series. Though people always knew they were going to miss the trio’s wicket-taking ability, it is their replacements’ inability to bowl at the death which has resulted in the Aussies scratching their heads.

At the SCG, the Australians didn’t have to worry about the end overs as they had the match effectively wrapped up by then. However, in the second ODI, they were put under severe pressure by an accomplished Indian batting and the hosts simply crumbled under strife.

Before the series, Siddle was looked upon as the bowler capable of handling the workload at the end. Yet, over the course of the last couple of games, he has barely bowled in that phase. Thus, suggesting that Finch just doesn’t trust his fellow Victorian.

Additionally, the likes of Behrendorff and Lyon and have rarely bowled in the last ten overs. At this juncture, the only bowlers in the squad capable of bowling at the death are Stoinis and Jhye Richardson, and having just a couple of bowlers adroit at delivering under the cosh is definitely not the recipe for success.

The Aussies have had to undergo wholesale changes due to certain transgressions by their stalwarts. Though their batting was always going to take time to come into its own, the death bowling is just making matters worse.

Australia still boast a splendid fast-bowling line-up but with the world cup just over 4 months away, they need to start blooding players according to the roles they are expected to play in England.

And if Australia let that aspect slip from their mind, their death bowling could just end up being the major factor why they will not defend their title.

#1 The finisher isn’t finished yet

MS Dhoni turned back the clock at Adelaide

India lost the 1st ODI at the SCG after their top order fell cheaply and the middle order again failed to cover itself in glory. Though MS Dhoni popped up with a gritty half-century, many blamed his slackness as the main reason for defeat.

Thus, all eyes were on the veteran when he went out in the middle in Adelaide with the match in the balance. And like so many times before, he let the bat do the talking.

The former skipper again started slowly but was helped out by Kohli’s pyrotechnics at the other end. As the innings progressed, Dhoni improved the tempo of his innings and masterminded a beautiful chase.

For the past year or so, Dhoni has been questioned on almost a daily basis. Yet, he served a timely reminder at Adelaide, proving that the great man isn’t finished until he says so.

Though it would be a little premature to label Dhoni as being back to his imperious best, the signs from the first couple of ODIs are certainly encouraging.

At the ground where he confirmed his status as the world’s best finisher way back in 2012, Dhoni just reaffirmed his position as one of the greatest finishers to have ever graced the game.

An in-form Dhoni makes India a different animal altogether, and with him standing up to job at hand frequently, a third world cup triumph might not be too distant after all.