It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. Australia didn't just chase down India's meager 117 — they dismantled it, without losing a single wicket, in just 11 overs. The 2nd ODI of the Australia Tour of India 2023Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam became the stage for one of the most one-sided ODI performances in recent memory. India, who had won the opener in Mohali, collapsed under relentless pressure, and Australia’s openers — Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh — turned the chase into a clinic. The result? A 10-wicket thrashing that leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a nerve-wracking finale in Ahmedabad.
India’s Batting Collapse: From Hope to Horror
India’s decision to bat first looked reasonable until the first over. Rohit Sharma, returning as captain after missing the first match, was out for 13 — caught behind by Tim Paine off Mitchell Starc. Then came the avalanche. Shubman Gill edged a full delivery to Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck. Virat Kohli, the lone resistance with 31, was trapped leg before by Adam Ellis. By the time KL Rahul — who had carried India in Mohali — was lbw to Starc for just 9, the writing was on the wall. The crowd, which had filled the 25,000-seat stadium hoping for a repeat of the previous match’s drama, fell silent.At 103/9, the match teetered on the edge of a historic collapse. Sean Abbott, who had already taken one wicket, was on a hat-trick. The next ball? Hardik Pandya, attempting a desperate swipe, was caught by Steven Smith. The final wicket — Mohammed Shami, bowled by Starc — came at 117 all out in 26 overs. A run rate of 4.50 wasn’t just poor — it was catastrophic for a side that had scored 188 just two days earlier. Starc finished with 2 for 20, while Ellis and Abbott each claimed one. The bowling was sharp, the fielding relentless. And the batting? A shadow of the unit that had fought back in Mohali.
Australia’s Chase: A Masterclass in Efficiency
When Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh walked out to bat, the target was 118. It might as well have been 18. Head, calm and composed, rotated the strike with surgical precision. Marsh, meanwhile, was pure aggression. In the 9th over, facing Kuldeep Yadav, he launched a 97-metre six over mid-wicket — a shot that sent the Australian bench into delirium. No one in the Indian camp had an answer. No one even came close.By the 10th over, the chase was over. Marsh finished on 60 not out off 38 balls, Head on 55 not out off 51. They didn’t just win — they made it look effortless. No pressure. No panic. Just execution. Starc, who had terrorized the Indian top order, didn’t even need to bat. The Australian team, led by Pat Cummins, had planned this. They knew India’s spinners would be tested on a slow pitch. And they knew their openers could exploit it. They were right.
Why This Matters: A Series Turned Upside Down
The first ODI in Mohali had been a tale of Indian resilience. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami had torn through Australia’s top order, while KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja had stitched together a gritty chase. But Visakhapatnam revealed a different truth: Australia’s depth, especially in white-ball cricket, is still elite. India’s middle order — once their strength — crumbled under pace and precision. The absence of David Warner was supposed to hurt Australia. Instead, Head and Marsh stepped up. Meanwhile, India’s reliance on Kohli and Rahul became glaring. When they fell, so did the innings.And here’s the twist: this wasn’t about luck. It was about preparation. Australia’s bowlers targeted India’s perceived weakness — the middle-order vulnerability against short-pitched deliveries. The data showed India had lost 12 wickets in the 15-30 overs range in their last five ODIs. Australia didn’t just exploit it — they weaponized it.
What’s Next: The Decider in Ahmedabad
The third and final ODI, set for March 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, now carries the weight of a final. India, with home advantage and a passionate crowd, will need to rediscover their rhythm. Will they bring back Ishan Kishan for his explosive batting? Will they give a debut to a young spinner to counter Australia’s power hitters? Australia, meanwhile, will trust their momentum. They’ve won five of their last six ODIs away from home. This team doesn’t panic.One thing’s certain: the series won’t be decided by a single star. It’ll be decided by depth. By composure. By who blinks first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mitchell Starc dominate India’s batting lineup?
Mitchell Starc exploited India’s vulnerability against short, quick deliveries, particularly targeting the top order. He took 2 wickets for just 20 runs in 6 overs, including key dismissals of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. His ability to generate pace off the pitch and maintain line under pressure made him nearly unplayable on a slow Visakhapatnam track.
Why did India’s middle order collapse so badly?
India’s middle order, often reliable in ODIs, lacked rhythm against Australia’s disciplined pace attack. With Kohli and Rahul out early, players like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were forced into unfamiliar roles. The lack of back-foot play and poor shot selection under pressure led to a cascade of dismissals — six of the last seven wickets fell for just 14 runs.
What was the impact of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh’s opening partnership?
Their 115-run stand in just 10.4 overs demoralized India’s bowling attack and nullified any chance of a comeback. Head’s control and Marsh’s power — including a 97-metre six — showed Australia’s ability to dominate from the start. This was the fastest 100-run partnership in an ODI chase against India since 2021, and it set the tone for a historic win.
How does this result affect Australia’s ODI ranking?
Australia’s win strengthens their position as the world’s top-ranked ODI team, with a 10-wicket victory over a top-5 side reinforcing their dominance in away conditions. They’ve now won 10 of their last 12 ODIs outside Australia, signaling their adaptability and depth — key traits that could carry them into the 2023 World Cup.
Will David Warner play in the third ODI?
Though Warner didn’t feature in the second ODI, his return is highly likely for the decider in Ahmedabad. His experience against Indian spinners and ability to accelerate early make him a tactical asset. Australia may swap one of their middle-order batsmen for him, depending on pitch conditions.
What’s the significance of the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in this match?
The Visakhapatnam pitch, traditionally slow and low, was expected to favor spinners. But Australia’s bowlers used the seam and bounce brilliantly, exposing India’s lack of adaptation. The stadium’s 25,000-capacity crowd, usually vocal for India, was unusually subdued — a sign of how completely Australia controlled the game from start to finish.
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