Australia v India, 2015-16
Wisden's review of the second ODI, Australia v India, 2015-16
15-Apr-2017
At Brisbane, January 15, 2016 (day/night). Australia won by seven wickets. Toss: India.
The speckled bowl of the Gabba replaced the concrete of the WACA, but otherwise this match could have been mistaken for the first. There was Rohit Sharma pummelling a century, with Kohli typically elegant in support. There was an apparently tricky target, a smidgen over 300. There was the Smith and Bailey show. And there was a record chase for the ground. While the result was virtually the same, though, there were some differences. This time Australia's openers made contributions, and this time the absence of DRS helped India: Sharma, on 89, feathered Paris to Wade, but was given not out. However, dropped catches and a missed run-out showed up the deficiencies in India's fielding. And, after Sharma and Kohli - this time with help from Rahane - provided a platform, India failed to build on it. The final ten overs produced only 75 runs, and six wickets - which turned the spotlight on their decision to play just five specialist batsmen. Australia, on the other hand, made the most of their batting depth, and again paced the chase to perfection. The required rate remained around a run a ball, and Bailey - who faced only 58 deliveries - chimed in with some explosive hitting.
Man of the Match: R. G. Sharma.
The speckled bowl of the Gabba replaced the concrete of the WACA, but otherwise this match could have been mistaken for the first. There was Rohit Sharma pummelling a century, with Kohli typically elegant in support. There was an apparently tricky target, a smidgen over 300. There was the Smith and Bailey show. And there was a record chase for the ground. While the result was virtually the same, though, there were some differences. This time Australia's openers made contributions, and this time the absence of DRS helped India: Sharma, on 89, feathered Paris to Wade, but was given not out. However, dropped catches and a missed run-out showed up the deficiencies in India's fielding. And, after Sharma and Kohli - this time with help from Rahane - provided a platform, India failed to build on it. The final ten overs produced only 75 runs, and six wickets - which turned the spotlight on their decision to play just five specialist batsmen. Australia, on the other hand, made the most of their batting depth, and again paced the chase to perfection. The required rate remained around a run a ball, and Bailey - who faced only 58 deliveries - chimed in with some explosive hitting.
Man of the Match: R. G. Sharma.