Whenever India and Australia clash, the stakes are always high and the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval was no different. Having come into the game 0–1 down having lost in Perth, India were out to level the series, but early on the game provided ample drama for both sets of supporters.
Once Australia had won the toss and decided to bowl first, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came out to bat. The track had some support for the pacers, and it did not take long before the drama started. In the sixth over, Josh Hazlewood bowled one on a good length outside off. Rohit, who had not been able to score easily, tried to let go of the pressure with a big shot over the line only to see the ball hit his pads. The Aussies went straight up in appeal for LBW, but the on-field umpire denied it. Skipper Mitchell Marsh went up top, and the replay revealed a faint edge on UltraEdge before the ball hit the pads, saving Rohit.
The narrow escape ignited debate in the commentary booth too, with ex-Australian opener Mark Waugh questioning the decision. In the meantime, India’s run soon hit a setback with Xavier Bartlett, playing for Nathan Ellis, sending Shubman Gill back for 9 off 9 balls.
Mark Waugh quickly said on air – “There was no way there was an inside edge.”
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Gill’s dismissal set up a much-awaited reunion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the middle order. But Indian fans’ excitement was short-lived. Kohli, who has struggled to get into form in the series, survived only four balls before being trapped on the back foot for a duck — his second straight zero in as many matches. The early losses once again put India in jeopardy, with Rohit being forced to anchor the innings in the face of mounting Australian pressure.
