India vs Australia Pitch Report: Shane Watson, reporting from near the pitch, notes that the surface in Adelaide is typically excellent for cricket. After a close inspection, he describes the wicket as rock-hard with a touch of moisture, likely to offer some early seam movement and grip. Watson adds that batters will need to handle the initial phase carefully, but once settled, they can capitalize with plenty of scoring opportunities, especially given the short square boundaries.

TOSS – Australia have won the toss and they will BOWL first.

Australia (Playing XI) – Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (WK) (In for Josh Philippe), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett (In for Nathan Ellis), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa (In for Matthew Kuhnemann), Josh Hazlewood.

India (Unchanged Playing XI) – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.

Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh has opted to bowl first, expressing excitement about the chance to clinch the series in the second match. Marsh highlighted the young talent in the squad and confirmed two changes- Alex Carey replaces Josh Philippe, while Xavier Bartlett comes in for Nathan Ellis, who has been rested.

Indian captain Shubman Gill said he would have chosen to bowl first as well, noting that the pitch, having been under covers for the last couple of days, might retain some moisture. He acknowledged that start-stop games are always challenging but expressed confidence in posting a strong total. Gill added that he expects some assistance for the pacers under lights and confirmed that the team remains unchanged for this match.

Mitchell Marsh, at the toss, had overlooked mentioning one more team change- Adam Zampa’s inclusion. Zampa replaces left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann in the XI. In total, Australia have made three changes for today’s game, with Alex Carey and Xavier Bartlett also coming into the side.

1 over completed-1 run scored. Current score: HH 1/0

2 overs completed | 0 runs conceded | HH: 1 wicket for 0

After 3 overs: HH at 11/0, scoring 10 runs in the last over

4 overs gone- HH at 11 without loss

After 5 overs: HH are 14/0, scoring 3 runs in the last over

End of 6 overs: HH at 17/0, scoring 3 runs in the last over

Xavier Bartlett to Shubman Gill, OUT! Caught by Marsh! Gill walks back as Mitchell Marsh pulls off a sharp catch at mid-off. Bartlett bowls it on a length outside off. Gill skips down the pitch, trying to chip it over mid-off, but doesn’t get enough elevation. Marsh moves a few steps to his right, dives forward, and grabs it cleanly. Shubman Gill’s brief stay comes to an end.

Virat Kohli comes in at number 3.

Xavier Bartlett to Virat Kohli, OUT! LBW! Another duck for Virat Kohli. His lack of match practice is showing, but credit to Bartlett for delivering a beauty. It was a length ball around middle and off, seaming back sharply into the batter. Kohli attempted a front-foot flick but was beaten by the movement. The ball crashed into his pad, prompting a loud and confident appeal — and the umpire wasted no time raising his finger. Kohli had a brief chat with Rohit Sharma about reviewing it but eventually chose to walk. India find themselves in early trouble with both Gill and Kohli back in the pavilion and just 17 runs on the board.

 Shreyas Iyer walks in next. Three slips welcome the new batter.

End of 7 overs- HH: 17/2 (0 runs in this over)

End of 8 overs: HH at 22/2, adding 5 runs in this over.

End of 9 overs – HH at 24 for 2, adding 2 runs in this over.

10 overs: HH at 29/2, scoring 5 runs in the last over.

11 overs completed- HH: 33/2 (4 runs in the last over)

12 overs bowled- HH: 37/2 | 4 runs in this over

End of 13 overs: HH at 41/2, adding 4 runs this over

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, OUT! Caught! Brilliant move by Mitchell Marsh to bring Starc back into the attack and it pays off immediately. Shortish delivery aimed at the hips, and Rohit goes for a half-hearted pull. The ball flies towards deep backward square, where Josh Hazlewood runs in from the boundary and takes a clean, safe catch. Rohit Sharma departs!

30 overs completed- 2 runs added. Hyderabad Heroes: 137/3.

DRINKS! A much-needed break for both teams. India has recovered well from a shaky start, thanks to that solid partnership between Iyer and Rohit. Sharma’s dismissal was a bit of a setback, but Iyer has been looking in great form. The Aussies might not be too concerned with the scoring rate, but they’d definitely love to get a few more wickets to put more pressure on India.

After 32 overs: HH at 156/3, adding 13 runs in the last over.

Adam Zampa to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Zampa fights back to break the growing partnership! Tossed up, full and outside off, Iyer looks to go straight down the ground but the ball doesn’t turn as much as he anticipated. He ends up playing slightly outside the line, getting an inside edge that ricochets onto the stumps.

 KL Rahul is in at number 6.

Over 34: 2 runs scored- HH at 163/4

36th over: 2 runs- HH at 170/4

Adam Zampa to KL Rahul, OUT! Cleaned him up! Once again, Zampa strikes right after being hit for a boundary. Earlier, it was Shreyas Iyer; now it’s KL Rahul. Zampa fires it in, pulling the length back a touch. Rahul rocks onto the back foot to pull, but the ball skids through, sneaks under the bat, and crashes into the top of off stump.

Washington Sundar walks out next.

Over 37: 7 runs scored- Team HH at 177/5

Over 38: HH at 180/5, 3 runs added

End of 39 overs: HH at 186/5, adding 6 runs in the over

40 overs | 12 runs scored | Current score: 198 for 5 wickets

Powerplay 3 begins! The fielding team can now have up to five players outside the 30-yard circle for the remainder of the innings.

After 41 overs: HH at 208/5, adding 10 runs in the last over.

Xavier Bartlett to Washington Sundar, OUT! Caught! A tame end for Sundar and a wicket against the flow of play. Bartlett delivers a full ball drifting down leg, and Sundar looks to flick it away toward deep mid-wicket. He times it better than intended, sending it straight into the hands of Josh Hazlewood, positioned perfectly on the boundary. India lose their sixth wicket for 213.

Nitish Kumar Reddy walks out to bat.

42 overs completed- HH at 213/6, adding 5 runs in the last over.

Over 43: HH 217/6, 4 runs added

Adam Zampa to Axar Patel, OUT! Brilliant catch! A well-disguised googly outside off tempts Axar to go big over long off. He aims to clear Mitchell Starc on the boundary, but Starc shows exceptional awareness and athleticism. As the ball looks set to clear the ropes, Starc times his leap perfectly, grabs it, and—realizing his momentum will carry him over flicks the ball back into play before crossing the boundary. He then calmly steps back in and completes the catch near the fence. Outstanding presence of mind from Starc! Axar Patel has to walk back.

Harshit Rana is in next.

Adam Zampa to Nitish Kumar Reddy, OUT! Stumped! Zampa smartly spotted Reddy advancing down the track and pulled his length back around off. The ball gripped and turned away sharply, leaving the batter stranded well outside his crease. Alex Carey was quick behind the stumps, collecting cleanly and whipping off the bails in a flash.

45 overs gone- HH: 226/8 (3 runs from the over)

End of 46 overs: HH at 229/8, scoring 3 runs in the over

After 47 overs: HH at 245 for 8, adding 16 runs in this over

End of 48 overs: 10 runs added. HH at 255/8

49 overs completed: 4 runs | HH: 259/8

Mitchell Starc to Arshdeep Singh, OUT! BOWLED! Starc switches the length and targets the stumps. Arshdeep Singh steps away again, leaving his off side exposed. He swings across the line but misses completely, as the ball nips through the gap and crashes into the top of middle stump.

Mitchell Starc to Mohammed Siraj, a leg bye to finish off the Indian innings!

Over 50: 5 runs scored. HH are 264 for 9.

India Innings Scorecard

Extras: 24 (w 5, b 2, lb 2)
Total: 264/9 in 50 overs

The target may not be huge, but it’s competitive enough to keep the bowlers interested. Can India defend this total, or will Australia chase it down to seal the series? The chase begins shortly stay tuned!

Welcome back for the start of Australia’s chase. The floodlights are beginning to shine as the players walk out to the center. It’s the explosive left-right pair of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh opening for Australia. Mohammed Siraj takes the new ball for India. Marsh will take strike. Two slips waiting. Here we go- the run chase begins!

1 over gone- HH off to a steady start at 4/0

2 overs gone- 1 run in this over. HH: 5/0

3 overs gone- HH: 8 runs for no loss (8/0)

4 overs gone- HH: 10/0 (2 runs in the over)

Over 5: HH at 11/0, scoring just 1 run this over

Over 6: 4 runs scored- Team HH at 15/0

Over 7: 11 runs scored – HH at 26 without loss

Arshdeep Singh to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! Edged and taken! Arshdeep strikes just as pressure builds. Marsh, growing impatient after a boundary earlier in the over, charges down the pitch to loft it straight. The ball shapes away, takes the outside edge, and KL Rahul completes an easy catch behind the stumps.

Over 8: 6 runs scored- HH at 32/1

Over 9: HH at 33/1 after scoring a single run

Over 10: HH at 42/1, scoring 9 runs in this over

Over 11: 6 runs added- HH at 48/1

Double change in action! Washington Sundar steps in to bring some spin to the attack.

Over 12: 5 runs scored- HH at 53/1

Harshit Rana to Travis Head, OUT! CAUGHT! Rana strikes with the ball! A good-length delivery around middle and leg- Head takes his eyes off it and plays away from his body, attempting a flick toward mid-wicket. He closes the face of the bat too early, and the ball flies off a leading edge. It loops in the air toward mid-off, where Virat Kohli runs across to his left and completes a comfortable catch.

 Matt Renshaw is in next.

Over 13: 4 runs scored- HH at 57/2

Axar Patel to Matt Renshaw, OUT! Bowled him! Axar Patel finally breaks the partnership for India! Tossed up with a hint of drift on middle and leg, Renshaw advances down the pitch looking to go inside out. The ball turns away just enough to beat the outside edge and crashes into the stumps. The 55-run stand comes to an end, and Australia are 109 for 3, still needing 156 runs.

Over 22: HH are 110 for 3, adding 3 runs in this over

23rd over: 2 runs scored- HH at 112/3

Over 24: 5 runs scored- HH at 117 for 3

25th Over Complete 9 runs scored | HH: 126/3

Over 26: 4 runs scored- HH at 130/3

Washington Sundar to Alex Carey, OUT! Cleaned him up! Sundar makes an impact right after returning to the attack. He drifts one in from around the wicket, keeping the stumps in play. Carey goes for the slog sweep, tempted by the flight, but it’s too full for the shot. The ball sneaks under his bat and crashes into the timber. Carey departs for 9 off 7 balls. Australia now 132/4, still needing 133 more runs.

27th over: 2 runs scored- HH at 132/4

Over 28: 3 runs scored- HH at 135/4

Over 29: 4 runs scored- HH at 139/4

Over 30: 2 runs scored | HH – 141/4

Washington Sundar to Matthew Short another edge, this time deflecting off the helmet and dropping short of short fine leg. The umpire immediately signals for the physio to conduct a mandatory concussion check. It was a fuller delivery from Sundar, bowling round the wicket. Short attempted a sweep but could only manage a top edge that ricocheted onto his helmet before falling safely near short fine leg.

The physio is out for a concussion assessment, giving the umpires a chance to call for a drinks break. Australia appeared in command when Matt Renshaw and Matthew Short were building steadily, but a few quick wickets have lifted India’s spirits. With spin operating from both ends, the hosts have managed to apply real pressure. For Australia, the key now is for Matthew Short to hold firm and guide the chase, as he remains well set and central to their hopes.

31 overs gone- HH at 145/4, adding 4 runs in the last over

Over 32: 10 runs | HH – 155/4

Over 33: 8 runs scored- HH at 163/4

Over 34: 3 runs scored- HH at 166/4

Over 35: 9 runs scored- HH at 175/4

Harshit Rana to Matthew Short, OUT! Caught! Siraj makes no mistake this time at deep square leg. A sharp bouncer from Rana, pitched around middle and off. Short goes for the pull but fails to time it properly, sending it straight toward Mohammed Siraj stationed near the boundary. Siraj keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a clean catch just in front of the fence. Short was initially aiming to keep it down but chose to take on Siraj and paid the price for it.

36th over: 12 runs scored – HH at 187/5

37th over: 3 runs scored – HH at 190/5

38th Over: 14 runs scored – HH at 204/5

39th Over: 3 Runs scored – HH at 207/5

40th Over: 9 Runs scored – HH at 216/5

Over 41: 13 Runs scored – HH at 229/5

Over 42: 14 Runs scored- HH at 243/5

Washington Sundar to Mitchell Owen, OUT! CAUGHT! Washington Sundar delivers a flat, short ball sliding across the right-hander. Mitchell Owen stays back and aims to hit it straight. However, the bat turns in Owen’s hand and he gets only part of it. The ball goes as far as long on, where Arshdeep Singh settles under it for a comfortable catch. Mitchell Owen departs after a quickfire 36 from 23 balls. Australia are now 246 for 6, needing 19 more runs.

Over 43: 5 Runs scored – HH at 248/6

Over 44: 4 Runs scored- HH at 252/6

Mohammed Siraj to Mitchell Starc- OUT! Caught at point! Could there still be a late twist in the tale? India breathe life back into the contest as Siraj removes Starc. Short of a length outside off, Starc tries to punch it through cover, but the ball climbs slightly on him and flies off the bat straight to Axar Patel at point. Australia now need just 5 runs, while India chase two crucial wickets.

 Adam Zampa walks in.

46.3 overs- 5 runs scored | HH: 265/8

Australia secured a thrilling victory over India, winning the match by 2 wickets after a tense and hard-fought contest.

Australia Innings vs India

Extras: 9 (W 6, LB 3)
Total: 265/8 (16.2 overs)

It got tense towards the finish, but Australia sealed the series with a memorable win! Despite not being at full strength and undergoing a batting transition after the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, this triumph carries extra significance, especially following two consecutive ODI series losses at home. Their total of 264 seemed below par, and while India fought valiantly with the ball, it wasn’t enough in the end. Much of the pre-series discussion had centered on Australia’s inexperienced middle order, but they rose to the occasion and proved their resilience in this decisive chase.

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