India surrender to Australia

Hosts win the second ODI also by two wickets despite Rohit's 73

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Rohit Sharma’s defiant 73 went in vain as India surrendered the three-match ODI series against Australia after losing the second game by two wickets here on Thursday, a setback that will reignite the debate on the proven matchwinner Kuldeep Yadav’s omission from the playing XI.

Under pressure, Rohit mixed grit with grace in a 97ball knock on a spicy track that formed the cornerstone of India’s total of 264 for 9 which was at least 25 short of what should have been a parscore.

In reply, Australia struggled against Indian spinners but with Nitish Reddy being shoehorned as a multi-skilled player instead of a genuine match-winner in Kuldeep, the visitors paid the price in a close situation.

Cooper Connolly (61 not out off 53 balls) and Mitchell Owen (36 off 23 balls), two cricketers, who are also appearing for IPL auditions, flayed the pacers and spinners alike as Australia survived a late collapse to canter home in 46.2 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.