AUS v IND 2020-21: Australia batter India by 51 runs; take a 2-0 lead in ODI series

India failed to chase down 389 runs and will play for pride in 3rd ODI on Dec 2 in Canberra.

The second ODI between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) saw a repeat of the previous match as Australia battered the Indian team after posting a mammoth total batting first after winning the toss.

Aaron Finch (60) and David Warner (83) added 142 runs for the first wicket, repeating their performance of the first game. Then Steve Smith again scored a century off 62 balls, ending with 104 in 64 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes, battering the Indian bowling lineup.

Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Glenn Maxwell (63* in 29 balls) added 80 runs in 7-odd overs, as Australia posted a mammoth 389/4 in 5 overs. Each of the batsmen in the top five positions scored over 50 runs, with Australia achieving this milestone for the second time.

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For India Hardik Pandya with 1/24 was the best bowler by far, while Shami (1/73), Saini (0/70), Bumrah (1/79), and Chahal (0/71) all proved to be expensive, giving the Indian team management headache.

India needed a top effort from their top five, but Dhawan (30), Mayank (28), and Iyer (38), tried to do their best and give captain Virat Kohli the support he needed. But the Australian bowlers were smart in banging the ball short and it stuck into the pitch before reaching the batsmen, making it difficult to time.

Kohli made 89 with 7 fours and 2 sixes, while KL Rahul did his best after Kohli's dismissal, who made 76 with 5 sixes and 5 fours. But the total proved to be too huge for the batsmen and Australia managed to register a comfortable win.

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Pandya (28) and Jadeja (24) tried to give the team momentum, but Pat Cummins dismissed both of them in two balls and that was the end for any hopes of an Indian win.

For Australia, Cummins (3/67) proved to be the most successful bowler, while Hazlewood (2/59) and Zampa (2/62) also contributed to the cause.

BRIEF SCORES:
AUS 386/4 (S SMITH 104, D WARNER 83; H PANDYA 1/24) defeated IND 338/9 (V KOHLI 89; KL RAHUL 76; P Cummins 3/67) by 51 runs