ADELAIDE, South Australia (Diya TV) — India’s middle order showed glimpses of resilience as Rohit Sharma led the fightback with a gritty 73 against Australia in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Friday. Early setbacks from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli put India under pressure, but Rohit’s composed innings kept the team in the game.
Facing criticism after scoring just eight runs in the series opener in Perth, Rohit started cautiously. He reached eight runs off 28 balls before gradually finding his rhythm. Combining patience with selective aggression, Rohit ended his innings at 73 off 97 deliveries. He struck seven fours and two sixes, turning a shaky start into a stabilizing performance for the Indian side.
Rohit’s innings was his slowest ODI fifty, but it proved vital for India. It allowed the middle order to settle and demonstrated his experience and calm under pressure. In the process, Rohit became the first Indian to score 1,000 ODI runs in Australia against the hosts. He also surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become India’s third-highest ODI run-scorer with 11,249* runs.
Rohit and Kohli shared a brief second-wicket partnership that lasted just four balls. This stand marked the 100th ODI partnership between the duo, highlighting their longevity and success. Across 100 innings, Rohit and Kohli have shared 5,315 runs, underlining their importance to Indian cricket over the years.
While Rohit’s performance offered hope, Kohli continued to struggle. He recorded his second consecutive duck in the series, the first time in his 50-over career that he has recorded back-to-back zeros. Kohli was dismissed by Australia’s Xavier Bartlett and could not capitalize on his strong record at Adelaide, where he averages 52.70 in Tests and 61 in white-ball cricket.
Despite the low scores, the crowd honored Kohli’s career with a standing ovation as he walked off the field. Fans praised him on social media, acknowledging his lasting impact on Indian cricket. His legacy remains immense, even during challenging moments.
India captain Shubman Gill reflected on the loss, citing missed chances in the field as costly. “We had just enough runs on the board, but dropping a couple of chances makes it very difficult to defend that kind of total,” Gill said. India scored 264 but struggled to defend the total, highlighting the importance of fielding in tight games.
With the series already lost 2-0, India now looks to the final ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25 to salvage pride. The team will hope for contributions from both seasoned veterans and emerging players. Rohit’s form provides a key boost, while Kohli and Gill will need to find rhythm to finish the series on a high note.
Rohit Sharma’s performance in Adelaide reaffirms his value as a stabilizing force for India in challenging conditions. His ability to balance defense and attack allows India’s middle order to flourish. Meanwhile, Kohli’s struggle serves as a reminder that even the greatest players face ups and downs.
Australia’s bowling attack, led by Bartlett, kept India on the back foot early in the innings. The young pacer exploited early movement, forcing quick dismissals and putting pressure on the Indian batting lineup. Rohit’s measured approach prevented the innings from collapsing and provided a blueprint for handling aggressive bowling.
