The Adelaide Oval was the stage for a high-stakes showdown on October 23, 2025, as Australia edged out India by two wickets in a dramatic second ODI, clinching the series 2-0 with one match still to play. For the home side, it was a night of breakout performances, gritty partnerships, and a touch of nerves as they chased down India’s 264-9 with 22 balls to spare, reaching 265-8 in 46.2 overs. The win not only sealed the series for Australia, but also showcased the depth and promise of their emerging talent.
India, led by stand-in captain Shubman Gill, had reasons to rue missed opportunities. Fielding lapses—three dropped catches, including a crucial one off Matthew Short—proved costly, and a total that looked competitive on paper ultimately wasn’t quite enough. Gill was candid in his post-match assessment: “It’s never easy when you drop a couple of chances and try to defend that kind of total (264/9),” he admitted. The Indian bowlers toiled, but Australia’s young guns stood tall under pressure.
For the visitors, the innings was anchored by Rohit Sharma, who returned to the side and fought his way to a composed 73 from 97 balls. Shreyas Iyer chipped in with a valuable 61 from 77, but the rest of the order struggled to convert starts. Australia’s Adam Zampa, recently in the form of his life, was the chief architect of India’s middle-order troubles, claiming 4-60 in his ten overs and earning the Player of the Match award. Xavier Bartlett, the right-arm seamer, provided crucial early breakthroughs, finishing with 3-39.
Yet, the moment that truly stunned the cricketing world came early in India’s innings. Virat Kohli, a legend with 51 ODI centuries and a formidable record at Adelaide, was dismissed for a duck—his second in as many games. For the first time in his 304-match ODI career, Kohli registered consecutive ducks. Bartlett trapped him lbw, sending a hush over the crowd before they rallied to give the Indian maestro a respectful ovation. Kohli’s return to international cricket after retiring from Tests and T20s had been highly anticipated, but this series has so far brought unexpected challenges.
After Kohli’s early exit, India rebuilt through Rohit and Iyer, but wickets at regular intervals kept them in check. Australia’s bowlers, led by Zampa’s guile and Bartlett’s aggression, never let the visitors settle. Mitchell Starc, building towards the upcoming Ashes, chipped in with 2-62, while Josh Hazlewood was unlucky to finish wicketless despite conceding just 29 runs in his 10-over spell.
When it came time for Australia to bat, there was early drama as both openers, Mitch Marsh (11 from 24) and Travis Head (28 from 40), departed inside the first 13 overs. Head, usually a free-scoring presence, was uncharacteristically restrained before ballooning a catch to mid-on. The pressure was on, but Matt Short and Matt Renshaw steadied the ship with a 55-run partnership. Renshaw’s 30 from 30 balls ended with a bowled dismissal, leaving Australia wobbling at 109-3 in the 22nd over.
Short, who batted with a painful split on his right-hand finger sustained while fielding, showed remarkable grit. He notched up a fluent 74 from 78 balls, his innings marked by crisp boundaries and clever running. But just as he looked set for a big one, a sharp piece of fielding saw him depart, opening the door for the next wave of Australian youth to shine.
Enter Cooper Connolly and Mitch Owen. Connolly, in just his fourth ODI innings and with a modest record of only 10 runs prior to this match, was a revelation. He played with confidence and composure, striking five fours and a six en route to an unbeaten 61 from 53 balls. Owen, making his first ODI batting appearance, showed no signs of nerves, blasting 36 from just 23 deliveries with three sixes and two fours. The pair came together at a precarious 187-5 in the 36th over, and their aggressive partnership swung the momentum decisively in Australia’s favor.
Reflecting on his performance, Connolly said, “It was good fun. My first couple of innings playing for Australia, I actually didn’t bat, I was just sitting on the side watching the boys.” His rapid half-century, reached in just 42 balls, was a testament to his fearless approach and bodes well for Australia’s future.
Australia’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, was full of praise for his team’s effort. “Hazlewood was unbelievable. Our bowling unit kept trying to pick wickets. It was awesome batting from the youngsters—the future is bright for Australian cricket. We’ll certainly enjoy the series win, but won’t celebrate too much tonight. India are a fantastic side, great experience,” Marsh remarked during the presentation.
On the Indian side, Shubman Gill emphasized that there were no demons in the pitch, pointing out, “The wicket did a little early on, but it settled nicely after 15-20 overs.” He also lauded Rohit Sharma’s innings: “He fought well; I’d say he missed out on a really big knock.”
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who has developed a knack for breaking partnerships, credited his success to the platform set by the Australian pacers. “Those guys have been owning the powerplay for a long time... it makes my job easier through the middle. I’ve been very grateful and lucky. And then you’ve got the guys coming in—Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis—doing their thing through the middle. It makes my job a lot easier. The beauty of Mitch (Marsh) is that he’s chilled, relaxed, never too emotional. We run our own show out there with the ball,” Zampa explained.
With the series now out of reach for India, attention turns to the third and final ODI in Sydney on October 25, 2025. The tour doesn’t end there; a five-match T20 series kicks off on October 29, offering India a shot at redemption and Australia a chance to further blood their rising stars. For the hosts, the focus will soon shift to the Ashes, set to begin on November 21, where some of these very names will look to make their mark against England.
Australia’s victory in Adelaide was a showcase of resilience, youthful exuberance, and strategic execution. While India will be left pondering their fielding lapses and lack of big partnerships, Australia can savor a series win built on the promise of their next generation. With one ODI still to play and a packed calendar ahead, this rivalry is far from over—and fans on both sides will be eager to see what’s next.
