India vs Australia 2020 | 2nd ODI, Rajkot: 3 reasons why India won

The Indian cricket team bounced back in stellar fashion and beat the Aussies by 36 runs in the second ODI. The 'Men in Blue' fired in all three departments of the game, to level the ODI series 1-1. We now go to Bangalore for the third and final ODI of the series.

After the Indian batsmen propelled the team to a above par total of 340 runs, the bowlers put the brakes on the Australian batsmen, to restrict them to a total of 304. It was a clinical performance by Kohli's men as the world's top-ranked ODI side showed their ability to bounce back in clinical fashion.

In this article, let us look at three reasons why the Indian team won the second ODI against the kangaroos.

#3. The Indian top order fires

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were involved in a 103 run partnership for the second wicket.

After a failed experiment with the batting order in the first ODI, India went back to their tried and tested 'Top Three' of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top of the order. And, it paid huge dividends for the home side.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a rousing start with a stand of 81 for the first wicket. After the departure of Rohit Sharma, Dhawan joined hands with skipper Kohli and the duo put on 103 runs for the second wicket to set the platform for the likes of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja to go after the Australian bowling.

While Rohit scored 42, Dhawan scored a whirlwind 96, and Kohli chipped in with a sedate 78 and propelled India to a huge total of 340.

#2. The whirlwind knock by KL Rahul

The talented right-hander scored a stunning 80* off just 52 balls to propel India to a huge total

When KL Rahul entered, the scoreboard read 198/3 in 32.4 overs. India had just lost two quick wickets in the form of Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, and India needed somebody who could not only keep the scoreboard ticking, but also stay till the end. And that is exactly what KL Rahul did coming in at No.5.

The talented right hander scored a stunning 80* off just 52 balls and carted the Australian bowling attack to all parts of the ground. He was involved in a crucial 78-run stand with skipper Kohli, and it was to prove extremely critical for India. Even after Kohli’s dismissal, Rahul went all guns blazing until he was dismissed in the final over of the innings. Rahul’s cameo played a huge role in India finishing with a total of 340, for if not for his timely contribution, India would have definitely ended 20 runs short.

#1. The Australian middle-order collapse

Steve Smith fell two runs short of a well-deserved hundred in the second ODI.

Australia were going along pretty well, with the scoreboard reading 178/2 after 30.4 overs. Smith and Labuschagne had put on a 96-run stand, and the match was poised for an exciting finish. But then, Ravindra Jadeja scalped Labuschagne in the fifth ball of the 31st over, and that proved to be a crucial point in the match.

Alex Carey and Steve Smith fell in quick succession, to leave Australia staring down the barrel. The match was as good as over when Smith fell for 98, and Australia slumped to 221/5 at the end of the 38th over.

None of the batsmen in the Australian middle order got going, and it really hurt the visitors. Carey fell for 18, Turner departed for just 13, and Ashton Agar could manage to score only 25. The Australian middle order could not contribute much, and that ultimately lead to them falling short of the target by 36 runs.