The Adelaide Oval witnessed a dramatic shift in fortunes as Australia edged out India by two wickets in the second ODI on October 23, 2025, clinching the three-match series 2-0 and leaving Indian fans in disbelief. For a side that hadn’t lost an ODI at this iconic venue in 17 years, India’s defeat stung all the more, especially given the expectations of a straightforward series win against an Australian lineup in transition.
Australia’s chase of 265 under the lights was anything but routine. The hosts found themselves wobbling at 132 for 4, their batting order exposed and nerves fraying. But in a testament to the depth Australia is cultivating ahead of the 2027 World Cup, a trio of relatively untested batters—Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, and Mitchell Owen—rose to the occasion with career-defining performances. Short, playing his 17th ODI, compiled a gritty 74 off 78 balls, making the most of a couple of let-offs in the field and a bandaged finger from an earlier mishap. Owen, in his maiden ODI innings, blasted a rapid 36 off 23 balls, while Connolly, a 22-year-old southpaw with only 10 ODI runs to his name before this match, held his nerve to finish unbeaten on 61 from 53 deliveries.
“It was good fun,” Connolly said after the match. “My first couple of innings playing for Australia, I actually didn’t bat, I was just sitting on the side watching the boys.” His composure, especially as wickets tumbled around him late in the chase, proved decisive. Connolly reached his half-century from just 42 balls, mixing caution with aggression and hitting five boundaries and a six. The 59-run sixth-wicket stand between Connolly and Owen turned the tide, as India’s bowlers struggled to land the knockout punch.
India’s bowling and fielding, often their strengths, faltered at crucial moments. Missed catches and lapses in the field allowed Australia to recover from precarious positions. Fans and pundits were quick to point fingers at team selection and strategy, with much of the ire directed at head coach Gautam Gambhir. Social media buzzed with criticism: “Kuldeep not getting chances. Siraj has been ineffective. You can’t win with this mediocre bowling lineup,” one user posted. Another lamented, “Let’s see if Gambhir shows up at the press conference today… he’s always around when it’s time to take the credit.” The omission of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, despite spin-friendly conditions and Australia’s visible discomfort against spin, was a particular sore point. “His obsession with all-rounders is depriving Kuldeep Yadav of crucial opportunities,” another fan argued.
On the batting front, India’s total of 264 for 9 was built on the back of a 118-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Rohit, under immense pressure following a quiet run and uncertainty over his future, bounced back with a determined 73 off 97 balls, overtaking Sourav Ganguly into third place on India’s all-time ODI runs list. Iyer added a fluent 61 off 77, and Axar Patel chipped in with a brisk 44 off 41 balls. Yet, the innings never quite gained the momentum needed for a more imposing total, especially after early setbacks.
Xavier Bartlett, the Australian medium-pacer, proved an inspired selection, replacing Nathan Ellis and immediately making an impact. Bartlett removed Shubman Gill for 9 and Virat Kohli for a duck in the same over, reducing India to 17 for 2 in the seventh. Kohli’s dismissal, trapped lbw by an inswinger, marked his second consecutive duck in the series—a first in his storied ODI career. The crowd at Adelaide Oval, which had often cheered Kohli’s exploits, watched in stunned silence as the Indian legend departed after just four deliveries.
Australia’s bowling attack executed their plans to perfection. Adam Zampa, returning to the side after paternity leave, was the chief destroyer with figures of 4 for 60 from his 10 overs. His subtle variations accounted for Iyer and KL Rahul, derailing India’s middle order at a critical juncture. Bartlett finished with 3 for 39, while Josh Hazlewood, despite not taking a wicket, bowled a miserly 10-over spell for just 29 runs, making life difficult for India’s top order. Mitchell Starc chipped in with the wicket of Rohit Sharma, ending the opener’s resistance just as he was beginning to look settled.
Australia’s chase began shakily, with Marsh and Head departing inside the first 13 overs. Short and Matt Renshaw (30 off 30) steadied the innings with a 55-run stand before Renshaw was bowled by Axar Patel. The Indian bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh (2 for 41), kept chipping away, but lacked the incisiveness to break the game open. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav was keenly felt, especially as the Australian middle and lower order began to counterattack.
Fielding mishaps haunted India throughout. Short was dropped on 14 by Axar Patel at point, and a missed run-out opportunity earlier in Rohit Sharma’s innings nearly cost India dearly. These small moments, often the difference in tight contests, swung the momentum Australia’s way.
The defeat also reignited debates about India’s captaincy and selection policies. “Did India make a mistake by removing Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy? A team that looked dominant for the past two years is now struggling against a fairly average Australian side,” questioned one fan online. Shubman Gill’s tenure as ODI captain has started quietly, with personal scores of 10 and 9 and two consecutive losses.
Australia’s win, coming without several regulars such as Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Marnus Labuschagne—who are preparing for the Ashes—signaled the emergence of a new generation ready to seize their chance. The performances of Short, Connolly, and Owen will provide plenty of optimism for Australia’s selectors as they look to build depth.
With the series decided, attention now turns to the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025. For India, it’s a chance to salvage pride and test combinations ahead of a five-match T20I series, led by Suryakumar Yadav, starting October 29. Australia, meanwhile, will look to carry this momentum into both the T20Is and the upcoming Ashes test series against England.
As the dust settles on a memorable night in Adelaide, one thing is clear: Australia’s young guns have announced themselves in style, while India is left searching for answers ahead of a busy international calendar. The stage is set for another intriguing contest in Sydney, with both teams eager to make a statement before shifting formats.
