India versus Australia 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli and bowlers help India register a thrilling 8 run win

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It was an exciting match as India edged past Australia in the thrilling 2nd one-day international played at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on Tuesday. Thanks to Virat Kohli’s century and Vijay Shankar contribution, India posted a total of 250. The match went till the last over as India defended the target.

Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was a disappointing start by the Indian team as Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Pat Cummins in the very first over itself. The Indian captain Kohli played with positive intent and made batting look easy on a difficult surface. On the other, Shikhar Dhawan's poor form continued as he was dismissed for 21 runs.

At the end of 10 overs, India were 39 for 2. Ambati Rayudu and Kohli steadied the Indian innings with some lovely stroke play. Nathan Lyon struck in his first over to dismiss Rayudu for 18 runs. Rayudu and Kohli had added 37 runs for the third wicket.

Kohli continued batting with positive intent and reached his fifty off just 55 balls. Shankar also provided crucial support by scoring a quick fire 46 off 41 balls. Kohli and Shankar added 81 runs for the 4th wicket.

India kept losing wickets at the other end while Kohli continued to make batting look easy, reaching his 40th ODI century off 107 balls. Ravindra Jadeja also scored an important 21 runs lower down the order. Kohli was finally dismissed for a brilliant 116. India were bowled out for 250 in 48.2 overs. For Australia, Cummins took 4 for 29.

Chasing a target of 251 runs to win, Australian openers Finch and Usman Khawaja provided a flying start with some lovely stroke play. The Indian captain brought a spinner quickly into the attack but failed to create an impact. At the end of 10 overs, both openers had raced the total to 0/60.

Kuldeep Yadav got the breakthrough by dismissing Finch for 37 runs. Finch and Khawaja added 83 runs for opening wicket in 14.3 overs. In the next over, Jadhav struck to dismiss Khawaja.

Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb steadied the innings with 39 runs stand for the third wicket before Jadeja had Shaun Marsh stumped. Kuldeep then got big wicket of Glenn Maxwell to put the pressure on Australian batting line up. Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis were looking on course to a win before Jadeja produced a sensational run out to dismiss Handscomb for 48. Handscomb and Stoinis added 39 runs for the 5th wicket.

Alex Carey and Stoinis put up another valuable partnership before Kuldeep dismissed Carey. Jasprit Bumrah produced a stunning 46th over by dismissing Nathan Coulter-Nile and Cummins in successive deliveries to bring India back into the game.

Marcus Stoinis reached his fifty off 62 balls. With 11 runs required off the final over, Shankar dismissed the well-set Stoinis and Adam Zampa to help team India register a thrilling 8 run win. Kuldeep finished with figures of 3 for 54, Bumrah and Shankar took 2 wickets each.

India 250 in 48.2 overs (Virat Kohli 116, Vijay Shankar 46, Pat Cummins 4/29, Zampa 2/62) beat Australia 242 in 49.3 overs (Marcus Stoinis 52, Bumrah 2/29, Vijay Shankar 2/15) by 8 runs.