Young leg-spinner bagged his maiden hat-trick to lead India to a memorable win against Australia in the second ODI by 50 runs at the iconic Eden Gardens on Thursday. With this victory, Virat Kohli's men have taken a 2-0 lead against the world champions in the five-match series. This is India's 8th consecutive win in ODIs, a commendable feat indeed! After posting a competitive total on this two-paced track, their bowlers came out firing on all cylinders. Especially, Kumar who jolted the visitors early by nipping out both the openers. Head also survived a scare when he was dropped on 15 but he settled in with his skipper. Both of them played sensible cricket, took toll off the loose deliveries and kept the scoreboard ticking. They were threatening to take the game away but Head lost his cool to throw his wicket away. Maxwell looked dangerous but Chahal outsmarted him. Both Indian spinners combined and weaved their magic. They took 5 wickets in 20 overs for 88 runs to dent the tourists. And after the Australian skipper departed, a collapse followed. Kuldeep Yadav impressed highly, taking his maiden hat-trick in ODI cricket. Stoinis played an entertaining knock to keep his side in with an outside chance but the task proved to be too much for him and eventually, he was left stranded at the end. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, 2ND ODI AT EDEN GARDENS
Australia innings:
21.56 IST: India continue their domination! The Men in Blue are clicking as a unit and it seems nothing can stand in their way. They are on the same points with the No. 1 ODI side in the world, South Africa. Another win will take them to the top of the tree and also help them take an unassailable lead in the series. Australia were good in patches but failed to pull off a collective performance. They need to get their act together if they are to stay alive in the competition. Join us for the 3rd ODI which will take place in Indore on 24th September at 1330 local (0800 GMT). Till then, goodbye and cheers!
21.51 IST: Indian skipper and also the Man of the Match, VIRAT KOHLI is really happy with the win. Says he thought they didn't have enough on the board but felt that they can stand a chance if they bowl well and get a good start. Praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar for setting the tone for them and feels they can count on him if there is some assistance off the pitch. Adds the wicket wasn't that easy to bat on. On the wrist spinners, he says both (Chahal and Yadav) bowl with a lot of heart and provide the breakthroughs whenever needed. Mentions that he is happy to have all the bases covered. On his batting, Kohli replies he always tries to come out positive and respects the opposition at the same time. Reckons he was aware of the wicket today, knew Australia's bowling attack had quality and it needed something special to get going. Ends by saying it looks nice when it pays off.
21.49 IST: Australian skipper, STEVEN SMITH says he was pretty happy with the target set as they pulled things back nicely in the first innings. Mentions that they crumbled under pressure, making some poor decisions and adds that they can't afford it against a quality side like India. Reckons Marcus Stoinis was pretty good in the end but someone needed to step up and score big. Informs that his team bowled really well and once again emphasizes on poor decisions which cost them. On the Indian bowlers, he says they have got all the bases covered, their fast bowlers swing the ball both ways and have great variety in the attack.
21.37 IST:
21.35 IST: OUT! The decision stands! And it's all over for Australia here. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the one who took the first wicket and comes back now to seal the deal. Back of a length delivery, skidding a bit off the deck. Richardson walks across a touch to flick it away but misses and is struck on the pads. Kumar turns back to appeal and the finger goes up. Stoinis asks him to challenge the decision but to be honest it was looking out to the naked eye. Replays show it's in line and would have hit the leg stump. The Men in Blue extend their winning streak and WIN BY 50 RUNS!
21.32 IST: Richardson has taken a review immediately after being adjudged LBW. It is very close. Only an inside edge can save him.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR comes back into the attack. He bowled a great opening spell. Stoinis is looking threatening.
The umpires are checking the shape of the ball as it has taken quite a beating. They cut a bit of leather from the seam which was coming out.
21.29 IST: SIX! 200 comes up for the tourists. Flick of the wrists! That's gone over the fence! Let me tell you he is keeping the Aussie hopes alive. In a match against New Zealand he scored an unbeaten 146 and nearly took his side across the line. Has a chance to do it today if he plays like this. A full toss on the pads, Stoinis just flicks it over deep backward square leg for a maximum. AUS 202/9 in 42.3 overs
BUMRAH is back into the attack.
21.26 IST: A six and a single from Pandya's over. AUS 196/9 in 43 overs
21.24 IST: SIX! Maiden ODI fifty for Stoinis! And what a way to get to that one. Gets this one in his arc and he slams it down the ground for a maximum all the way. Raises the bat to the dressing room and acknowledges the cheer. The task is way too much for him, but can he bring this close? AUS 195/9 in 41.3 overs
21.22 IST: AUS 189/9 in 41 overs
21.20 IST: SIX! That's flat and that's big! Sees the flight, skips down the track and bashes it down the ground for a maximum. AUS 188/9 in 40.3 overs
PowerPlay 3 has been signalled by the umpire. Five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings.
21.19 IST: Successful over from Pandya - a single and a wicket from it. AUS 182/9 in 40 overs
KANE RICHARDSON is the last man in.
21.16 IST: OUT! Pandya removes Coulter-Nile for 8. Caught and bowled! Hardik Pandya breaks the stubborn stand! Comes in and hits the deck hard, gets enough bounce to surprise Coulter-Nile. The batsman is hurried by the bounce as he looks to pull. Gets a top edge that balloons in the air and Pandya calls for it. Takes it easily in the end. AUS 182/9 in 39.4 overs, need 71 runs to win
21.13 IST: FOUR! Shot! Stoinis is playing a really good knock. He takes it on the full and sweeps it with authority through backward square leg for a boundary. AUS 181/8 in 39 overs
21.11 IST: A tight run out appeal is referred upstairs. Kohli is confident. Is Coulter-Nile's bat in the air? Floated around off, Stoinis taps it to point and sets off. He is sent back by Coulter-Nile. Kohli is quick to attack the ball and throws it back to Dhoni. The wicket keeper deflects the ball back on the stumps as Marcus dives to get back in. It is referred upstairs. The replays show that it is close but the benefit of the doubt goes to the batsman.
21.09 IST: The Australian batsmen are taking a bit of a breather. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is off the field and KL Rahul is the substitute in his place. CHAHAL is also back for a bowl.
21.08 IST: Good over from Pandya, just two runs from it. AUS 174/8 in 38 overs
21.04 IST: 10 runs from Yadav's over. AUS 172/8 in 37 overs
21.02 IST: FOUR! This one is played with authority! Floated outside off, Stoinis drives it uppishly through extra cover for a majestic boundary. AUS 170/8 in 36.2 overs
21.01 IST: FOUR! Down the leg side, Stoinis paddle sweeps it towards fine leg. Bumrah runs to his right, slides and stops the ball but unfortunately, the ball trickles down to the fence. AUS 166/8 in 36.1 overs
21.00 IST: 5 runs from Bumrah's over. AUS 162/8 in 36 overs
20.56 IST: Spinning in sharply from outside off, Nathan looks to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. 5 runs from Kuldeep's over. AUS 157/8 in 35 overs
20.47 IST: TRIPLE WICKET MAIDEN! How often do you see this happening? Well done, Yadav! A bit flatter around middle and leg, pushed back to the bowler. AUS 148/8 in 33 overs
NATHAN COULTER-NILE is the new man in.
20.45 IST: OUT! HAT-TRICK FOR KULDEEP YADAV! And the entire Eden Gardens is up on its feet. What a feat for this man, the feeling would be totally different. All his mates barge towards him. Bowls a googly and Cummins lunges forward to defend it. The ball turns away a bit, takes the outside edge and Dhoni behind the stumps doesn't make any mistake. It's the 3rd hat-trick for India in the ODIs. Australia in dire straits now. AUS 148/8 in 32.4 overs
PAT CUMMINS is the new man in. A slip and leg slip is in place. He will face the hat-trick ball. Can Kuldeep take it? The Eden Gardens crowd is making a lot of noise and the atmosphere is electric.
20.43 IST: OUT! LBW! It's two-in-two for Kuldeep Yadav now. All of a sudden the Aussies are falling here like a pack of cards. Bowls a loopy ball, Agar looks to flick it away but the ball dips in and hit him on the pads right in front of the stumps. A loud appeal to which umpire raises his finger, after taking his time. Ashton confers Stoinis if he should opt for the review, his partner says no and gives him the marching order. Can Yadav pick up a hat-trick? AUS 148/7 in 32.3 overs
ASHTON AGAR walks out to bat next. Two slips in place for him.
20.41 IST: OUT! Dragged on! Kuldeep Yadav picks up his first and Kohli has something to say to Wade. A banter happened when the skipper was batting and he gives it back. Yadav bowls it short and a bit wide outside off, Wade gets across a long way to push it away. AUS 148/6 in 32.2 overs
20.39 IST: FOUR! Boom! That was a powerful hit from Stoinis! Pandya bowls it short but this one doesn't rise as it did to Smith. Marcus stands tall and pulls it with authority through mid-wicket for a boundary. No need to run for those. AUS 148/5 in 32 overs
Drinks are on the field. A good passage of play for India. Importantly, they have got the big breakthroughs of Maxwell and Smith. The need of the hour for Australia is to keep the scoreboard ticking and stitch a big partnership. They need 6 runs per over. Meanwhile, Ashton Agar is padded up.
20.30 IST: Tight over from Kuldeep, just a single from it. AUS 139/5 in 31 overs
KULDEEP YADAV is back on, replacing Chahal!
20.26 IST: 5 runs and a wicket in Pandya's over, a good one for the home team. AUS 138/5 in 30 overs
Mathew Wade is the new man in.
20.25 IST: OUT! A massive breakthrough for India! A massive breakthrough for India! The short delivery which is Pandya's surprise factor brings about the Australian skipper's downfall. He runs in and bowls a cross-seam delivery on a shortish length outside off. Smith shapes for the pull but the ball comes quicker to him than he expects. He ends up getting a top edge to deep mid-wicket. Jadeja (sub for Kedar Jadhav) is a bit late to react, perhaps the floodlights make him a bit blinded. However, he adjusts well, runs in and takes a good catch diving forward. Smith walks back with a dejected face. He played a good knock but his side needed him to stay till the end. Australia need 115 runs from 121 balls with five wickets in hand.. AUS 138/5 in 29.5 overs
20.22 IST: FOUR! Streaky runs but mighty effective! Length delivery wide outside off. Smith chases it but gets a thick outside edge past the vacant slip region. No protection in the deep and the ball races to the fence. AUS 138/4 in 29.3 overs
20.20 IST: Excellent Over! Chahal is asking questions from the Australian batsmen on every single ball. Just a single from his over. AUS 133/4 in 29 overs
20.16 IST: 7 runs from the over. AUS 132/4 in 28 overs
20.15 IST: FOUR! That's a cracking stroke! Overpitched around off, Stoinis drives it elegantly through covers and the ball whistles away to the fence. This will give him a lot of confidence. AUS 131/4 in 27.4 overs
20.13 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! On a length on middle, Smith gets inside the line and helps it away through the vacant fine leg region for a boundary. AUS 125/4 in 27 overs
20.09 IST: Just a single from Kuldeep's over, a good one from him. AUS 121/4 in 26 overs
20.07 IST: FIFTY for Australia skipper! 18th ODI fifty for Steven Smith! Fullish delivery from Kuldeep, Smith turns it through mid on for a run. It has been a good knock from him. He holds the key for Australia and needs to bat till the end . AUS 121/4 in 25.4 overs
20.06 IST: FOUR! A poor delivery and rightly dealt with! Cross seam delivery on a fullish length on the pads from Pandya. All Stoinis has to do is to get some bat on it. He does so, clipping it beautifully through mid-wicket to find the desired result! AUS 120/4 in 25 overs
20.01 IST: Kuldeep tosses it up on the stumps, Steven looks to work it away on the leg side but gets a leading edge towards point. AUS 116/4 in 24 overs
19.59 IST: FOUR! Superb shot! Floats it up outside off, Steven Smith takes a good stride forward and drives it through covers. Finds the gap and picks up a boundary. The skipper is inching closer to his fifty now. AUS 114/4 in 23.4 overs
19.55 IST: OUT! Big, big moment in the game! The dangerous Maxwell departs! Smart bowling from Chahal and he does the trick for India. Chahal removes Glenn Maxwell for 14. He sees Glenn coming down the track and bowls it around his legs. Glenn gets into a bit of a tangle. He looks to keep it out to the leg side but fails to put bat to ball. It sneaks through and hits his back pad first. Then it deflects to his front pad and lobs towards Dhoni. He is cool as a cucumber bends and collects it cleanly. As always, he is lightning quick to take the bails off. Once again the big-hitter threatened but fails to make it count. AUS 106/4 in 22.5 overs, chasing 253
19.51 IST: Great comeback by Bumrah after conceding runs in his first spell, just a single from the over. AUS 106/3 in 22 overs
Change of helmet for Smith. Meanwhile, a bowling change as well. Bumrah comes back into the attack.
19.46 IST: 3 runs from Chahal's over. AUS 105/3 in 21 overs
19.43 IST: 13 runs from Kuldeep's over, a good one for the visitors. AUS 102/3 in 20 overs
19.42 IST: SIX! 100 comes up for Australia. So much of confidence when Maxwell plays cross-batted shots! Flighted around the pads, Maxwell again opts for the slog sweep. He has hit it in the vacant region and the ball clears the square leg fence. AUS 102/3 in 19.4 overs
19.41 IST: SIX! What a shot! That came right off the screws! Tossed up delivery on middle, Maxwell crouches and slog sweeps it with the spin. Great timing and the ball sails over the deep square leg fence. AUS 96/3 in 19.3 overs
19.37 IST: Another tight over from Kuldeep, three runs from it. AUS 88/3 in 18 overs
GLENN MAXWELL is the new man in. Will we see him coming out all guns blazing today again?
19.32 IST: OUT! You cannot get a softer dismissal than this! A wicket goes down at the wrong time for Australia. Full toss on middle and leg again, Head who has been struggling to pick the spin takes it on the full. Whips it to mid-wicket but he picks out the sole man, Manish Pandey stationed there who makes no mistake. Chahal has a wry smile on his face. Look at Kohli go. He is all pumped and pumps his fists in the air! India are right back in this contest. AUS 85/3 in 17 overs, chasing 253
19.29 IST: Four runs from Kuldeep's first over, a decent start from the chinaman bowler. AUS 80/2 in 16 overs
19.26 IST: Another LBW appeal denied! Yadav slips in the wrong one around off. Head comes forward to counter it but gets beaten to get rapped on the pads. The Indians appeal again but the umpire stays unmoved. The impact seemed to be outside off again. AUS 76/2 in 15.1 overs
KULDEEP YADAV is brought into the attack now.
Time for Drinks. India once did well to get rid off the Australia's opening batsmen but the current pair of Smith and Head has steadied the ship considerably. The inclusion of spin.
19.22 IST: A loud shout for an LBW turned down! Floated around off, spinning in. Head strides forward to keep it out but misses to get pinged on the pad. The Men in Blue appeal in unison but the umpire stays put. Kohli gets into an animated chat with Dhoni. He also asks Chahal whether it is bat or pad first. The leg-spinner is not sure and eventually, the hosts decide against the review. The replays show that there was no bat but the impact was in question. Turns out to be a wise decision not to challenge the decision. Three runs from Chahal's over, three runs from it. AUS 76/2 in 15 overs
19.19 IST: Straight on this occasion from Pandya. Smith helps it through square leg. Chahal in the deep sprints to his left, slides and makes a good stop. He parries it to Kuldeep. Good teamwork. Good over for Australia, 9 runs from it. AUS 73/2 in 14 overs
19.16 IST: FOUR! Timed exquisitely! Length delivery on middle and leg, Head tucks it towards wide mid-on. Bumrah runs across to his left but he has no chance to stop it. Another boundary results. AUS 70/2 in 13.3 overs
19.13 IST: Floated delivery from Chahal, turned through square leg for a run. A steady start from Chahal, three runs from it. AUS 64/2 in 13 overs
Dhoni is getting some tape on his left glove. There's a bowling change too. Time for spin now. YUZVENDRA CHAHAL is brought into the attack.
19.09 IST: FOUR LEG BYES! A stifled appeal for an LBW denied! Length delivery outside off, shaping in sharply. Smith looks to keep it out but misses to get struck high on the pads. The ball deflects through the vacant slip region and rolls to the third man ropes. Four Leg Byes signaled by the umpire. The 50-run stand is up as well. AUS 61/2 in 12 overs
19.07 IST: FOUR! He hardly seemed to hit it but look at the result! Very full outside off, Smith jams it towards mid on. The fielder is a bit wide at the same region. Once it goes past him, the result is destined. AUS 57/2 in 11.4 overs
19.06 IST: FOUR! Fifty comes up for Australia. Shot! Fuller in length outside off, Smith shuffles across, puts a decent stride forward and times it crisply through extra cover. The outfield is lightning quick and the ball races to the fence in a jiffy. AUS 53/2 in 11.2 overs
19.04 IST: Another tidy over from Bhuvi, just two runs from it. AUS 49/2 in 11 overs
19.00 IST: Powerplay 2 has been signalled by the umpire. Maximum of 4 fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
18.59 IST: 7 runs from Pandya's first over. AUS 47/2 in 10 overs
18.58 IST: Smith is not happy with the sightscreen and stops Pandya in his delivery stride.
18.56 IST: A bit of halt in play. The grass has gotten stuck on the spike of his shoes and he is clearing the dirt with the bail...
18.55 IST: FOUR! This time Travis gets hold of it! Short delivery, sits up nicely for Head. He stands tall and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wicket for a boundary. AUS 44/2 in 9.3 overs
HARDIK PANDYA comes into the attack.
18.53 IST: Brilliant over from Bhuvneshwar once again, just a single from it. AUS 40/1 9 overs
18.49 IST: FOUR LEG-BYES! On a length on middle, Smith moves across and looks to clip it away but the ball kisses his pads and goes past Dhoni. No protection in the deep and the ball rolls to the fine leg fence. AUS 39/2 in 8 overs
18.48 IST: FOUR! Bumrah is losing his radar! Short and width on offer. Smith slaps it through point for a rocketing boundary. AUS 35/2 in 7.4 overs
18.47 IST: FOUR! Brilliant shot! Full-length delivery outside off. Smith shuffles across and whips it through mid-wicket. At Eden Gardens you just need to find the gap and it results into a boundary. AUS 31/2 in 7.3 overs
18.45 IST: Dropped! Length delivery on off, seaming away a bit after pitching. Head feels for it but gets a thick outside edge. Rohit Sharma at first slip lines it up and crouches to his right. He gets his hands to it but puts it down. That was a pretty ease chance. How costly will this prove?
18.44 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! Full delivery on the leg stump, Head doesn't miss out. He clips it nicely through square leg and the ball races to the fence. AUS 27/2 in 6.5 overs
18.41 IST: Good over for the visitors, 12 runs came off it. AUS 22/2 in 6 overs
18.38 IST: FOUR! A rare loose delivery from Bumrah and it has been put away. Shortish and room on offer. Head punches it with authority behind point to find the fence. AUS 18/2 in 5.2 overs
18.37 IST: FOUR! Very fortunate! Good length delivery around off, Head goes for a tentative punch but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes through the gap between his legs and the leg stump and eventually reaches the fence. AUS 14/2 in 5.1 overs
TRAVIS HEAD comes out to bat. Australia need a big partnership.
18.35 IST: OUT! Another one goes down! This time it is the big wicket of David Warner. He wasn't looking that confident and finally departs! Fuller length delivery on off, shaping away. Warner pushes at it with minimal foot movement and ends up getting a thick outside edge. Rahane at wide second slip is sharp as a hawk. He watches it all the way, bends low to his right and takes a good catch. The tourists are in a bit of bother now. AUS 9/2 in 4.5 overs
18.30 IST: FOUR! Streaky runs! Fuller length delivery outside off, Smith goes for a drive but gets a thick outside edge wide of second slip for a boundary. AUS 9/1 in 4 overs
STEVEN SMITH strides out to bat. This is his 100th ODI. Can he play a match-winning knock for Australia?
18.25 IST: OUT! WICKET MAIDEN! The pressure has resulted in Cartwright throwing his wicket away! Intelligent bowling as well from Kumar. He goes wider of the crease and bowls a fuller length ball around off. It swings in ever so slightly. Hilton goes for an expansive drive but leaves a lot of gap between his bat and pad. He misses it completely to find his stumps shattered. AUS 2/1 in 3 overs
18.21 IST: That's a peach! On a length, hits the deck and seams away substantially. Warner lets it go watchfully. Bumrah starts off well, just a single from the over. AUS 2/0 in 2 overs
18.18 IST: JASPRIT BUMRAH to bowl with the second new ball from the other end. Two slips in place for him as well.
18.17 IST: Great over from Bhuvneshwar. Just a single off it. AUS 1/0 in 1 over
18.12 IST: We are back for the chase. David Warner and Hilton Catwright to open the batting for Australia. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start off with the first new ball for India. Two slips in place. Here we go...
India Innings:
18.05 IST: India, on the other hand, would be a tad disappointed to not get closer to 300. They lost momentum in the middle overs and the knockout punch just didn't arrive. Pandya got a life yet he couldn't make a difference. It doesn't seem to be an easy pitch to bat on and change of pace would be the key. Australia would require a good batting effort on their part to hunt the target down. Will they tackle spin better to level the series or will we see a repeat performance from their batters? Join us in a while for the Australian reply. Let's hope that the rain, which threatened earlier doesn't return.
18.00 IST: Australia will be really happy with the way they came back in the end, giving away just 45 runs in the last ten overs and picking up four wickets, to keep the hosts in check. The home side was cruising along when Rahane and Kohli were at the crease, stitching a 102-run stand to set things rolling. The former scored a well-constructed fifty while the skipper missed out on a ton by 8 runs. Credit to the Aussie bowlers for persisting with tight lines and lengths and offered freebies at a premium to the batsmen who followed. Coulter-Nile and Richardson both picked up three wickets apiece and that proved to be the difference. Cummins doesn't have a cluster of wickets to show but he dried up the run flow with his disciplined bowling.
17.52 IST:
17.43 IST: OUT! Run out! India are bowled out for 252! Back of a length outside off, a swing and a miss from Chahal. He looks to steal a bye but Wade is quick to collect the ball and hit the stumps at his end. Sensational stuff from the visitors.
17.41 IST: FOUR! Bumrah gets a boundary! Richardson bowls a back of a hand slower delivery outside off, Bumrah gets down to slog yet again. Is deceived by the slower delivery yet manages to slog sweep it through square leg for a boundary. A desperate dive by the fielder in the deep is of no help! IND 251/9 in 49.4 overs
17.39 IST: OUT! And Pandya gets out off a full toss! Richardson bowls a slower ball full toss outside off, Pandya looks to go over wide long off but the ball travels only as far as Warner there. So Pandya is unable to repeat his last match heroics! Vital wicket at the start of the last over. Richardson has two-in-two now! IND 246/9 in 49.1 overs
17.37 IST: IND 246/8 in 49 overs
17.35 IST: FOUR! Edged and that will do for the Indians! Short of a length delivery outside off, Bumrah swings at it. Gets an edge which flies down to third man for a boundary, a much-needed one. IND 244/8 in 48.4 overs
17.33 IST: OUT! Edged and what a catch that is from Wade! He had a tough day on the field and look what he has just done, mind blowing stuff from Wade! On a length and just outside off, Kuldeep Yadav makes room and looks to dab it away for a single. However, gets a thick outside edge behind where Wade dives full length to his left to take that one. Maxwell barges towards the keeper and pats his back.. IND 239/8 in 48.2 overs
KULDEEP YADAV walks in next. PAT CUMMINS to bowl out as well...
17.31 IST: OUT! Richardson removes Bhuvneshwar for 20. Doesn't prove to be very costly as Kumar is gone next ball! A length ball around off and middle, Kumar looks to smash it out of the park again, but ends up hitting it high in the sky. Maxwell, from long on, gets under it and pouches it safely. IND 239/7 in 48 overs
17.29 IST: DROPPED! Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets a life! How costly will that be?
17.28 IST: The players and the umpires make their way to the middle. Remember, it'll be Free Hit!
17.23 IST: Good news! The covers are coming off and we might have a resumption soon.
17.15 IST: What happened there? Hardik Pandya gets caught by Steven Smith but he thinks he is gone and hence doesn't run and rushes back towards the dressing room. The Aussie skipper takes the catch but knows it was over the waist height and hence fires a throw at the non-striker's end as Richardson takes the bails off. Complete chaos in the middle as Smith is seen complaining to the umpire who signals it as a no ball and then further adds Pandya can't be given run out...
17.12 IST: The heavens have opened up all of a sudden. It's absolutely pelting down. IND 237/6 in 47.3 overs
17.10 IST: Pandya is caught off a no ball! Richardson bowls a high full toss around off, Pandya looks to smash it out of the park but gets a top edge over covers. Smith backtracks from there and takes a good catch. But he was aware that it could have been a no ball and returns the ball to the bowler and shouts to him to whip the bails off. Hardik didn't look to complete the run as he thought he's a goner. Richardson then whips off the bails realising that the batsman is not in the frame. The umpire goes upstairs to check for the validity of the ball and replays show that it is above waist height indeed. The Australians appeal for the run out but the umpire seems to convince them that it isn't a valid appeal as the ball is dead after Smith has caught that.
17.07 IST: 7 runs from the over. IND 233/6 in 47 overs
17.04 IST: Ouch! That might have hurt for sure! Kumar smashes it right back at Pandya at the non-striker's end. Smith runs to him from mid-wicket and looks to be a concerned man.
17.02 IST: FOUR! It's an edge that ends the boundary drought! Back of a length ball outside off, Kumar looks to flay at that with a hard bat. Gets a top edge that goes over keeper and into the third man fence. IND 231/6 in 46.2 overs
17.01 IST: Back of a length ball around off and middle from Stoinis, Pandya gets a leading edge through covers for a run. It was in the air for a while and not too far from the fielder. IND 226/6 in 46 overs
16.57 IST: Coulter-Nile is bowling a tight line here, two runs from the over. IND 222/6 in 45 overs
16.53 IST: Marcus bowls it short around off, Kumar pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace. Just two runs from the over. IND 220/6 in 44 overs
16.51 IST: Ashton Agar who twisted his right ankle a while back was off the field. Now he is seen limping near the boundary rope along with the physio and is going inside the dressing room. These are not good signs for Australia. Hopefully, he recovers soon.
16.48 IST: Decent over for India, 8 runs from it. IND 218/6 in 43 overs
16.45 IST: FOUR! Smashed! Cummins spears this on a length outside off, Pandya stands tall and slaps it over covers for a boundary. Nobody could've dared to get a hand on to that. IND 214/6 in 42.1 overs
16.44 IST: Back-to-back tight overs from the Australian bowlers, just three runs from last two overs.The hosts are choking at the death. IND 210/6 in 42 overs
16.36 IST: A successful over from Richardson comes to an end, 3 runs and a wicket from it. IND 207/6 in 40 overs
16.32 IST: OUT! Richardson removes MS Dhoni for 5. The big fish is trapped! Richardson bowls a full ball outside off, Dhoni looks to drive it through covers. Ends up finding Smith there, who takes a good low catch diving to his left. The expression of joy on his face shows how important this wicket is for them. MS walks back without much of a contribution. India in search of a final flourish. IND 204/6 in 39.1 overs
KANE RICHARDSON back on.
16.31 IST: Excellent running! Length ball around middle and leg, tucked towards square leg. Pandya gets back for the second before the fielder returns the ball to the keeper. 3runs from the over, a tight one from Cummins. IND 204/5 in 39 overs
Pat Cummins is back into the attack.
16.26 IST: FOUR! Streaky way to get going! Coulter-Nile bowls it on a length around off and middle, Pandya looks to defend. The ball takes the inside edge of the bat and races over the leg stump and into the fine leg fence for a boundary. Lucky! IND 201/5 in 38 overs
The hard-hitting all-rounder HARDIK PANDYA walks out next.
16.24 IST: OUT! Kohli plays on! The crowd gets quiet! Coulter-Nile serves a length ball just around off, Kohli looks to guide it towards third man, ends up playing it onto the stumps. This ball stayed a tad low and that is Virat's undoing. The umpires go upstairs to check for a no ball but Nathan seems to be fine there. This is a big wicket for the Australians as the Indian skipper has the ability to cut loose towards the death. A good knock ends, nevertheless. IND 197/5 in 37.5 overs
16.20 IST: Back of a length ball outside off, Dhoni hits it towards point. 5 runs from the over. IND 195/4 in 37 overs
16.17 IST: FOUR! Pristine! Full ball outside off, Kohli just times the cover drive perfectly. The ball races away to the fence and the fielder in the deep didn't stand a chance of cutting that off. IND 194/4 in 36.2 overs
16.16 IST: FOUR! And Dhoni is away! Coulter-Nile offers a short ball to him but it doesn't bouncer as much as he would have expected it to be. Dhoni swivels a touch and pulls it firmly down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. The crowd gets going now. IND 190/4 in 36 overs
The buzz around the ground just gets louder! MS DHONI is slated to walk out and he does! There's nothing stopping the crowd.
16.12 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile removes Jadhav for 24. IND 186/4 in 35.3 overs
16.10 IST: 9 runs from the over, good one for India. IND 185/3 in 35 overs
16.08 IST: Between 32nd and 33rd overs, we could see Wade give some words of wisdom to Kohli. He didn't seem pleased with the batsmen stealing a bye after the ball hit him on the arm. The discussion might have been about that.
16.07 IST: SIX! That's gone the distance! Stoinis bowls it short, wide and outside off. Jadhav stays back and just throws his hands at it. Gets enough meat to send it sailing over the third man fence for a biggie. The little man is getting a move on here. Two boundaries in the previous over and now a maximum. IND 183/3 in 34.2 overs
16.06 IST: FOUR! Too easy! Drifts one down the leg side and Jadhav doesn't let it go waste. He swipes it past the short fine leg fielder and picks up back-to-back boundaries. Spoils the over with that too.
IND 176/3 in 34 overs
16.05 IST: FOUR! Up and over! Loopy delivery outside off, Kedar Jadhav makes room and lifts it inside out cleanly over extra cover to pick up a boundary. IND 172/3 in 33.5 overs
16.02 IST: The umpires calls it a dead ball. Kohli isn't amused. Agar's towel fell down as he was in his delivery stride. The umpire spots that and immediately signals a dead ball. Kohli was unaffected by that and he played a late cut towards third man and looked to collect some runs.
16.01 IST: FOUR! Excellent shot! Sees the width and Kohli pounces on it. The ball blazes past Maxwell at the point for a boundary. IND 165/3 in 33 overs
MARCUS STOINIS is back into the attack. Will he able to get Kohli?
15.57 IST: Another tidy over from the left-arm spinner, just four runs from it. IND 158/3 in 32 overs
Drinks are on the field now! The Australians would look at this break to think of ways to get rid off Kohli as quickly as they can. He's very dangerous towards the death - a strike rate of about 138 between overs 41 to 50 is a fact - and they would well know this.
15.51 IST: Kane lands this on a length around off, Jadhav pushes it towards covers. 6 runs from the over. IND 154/3 in 31 overs
15.48 IST: Richardson bowled a length ball on the pads, Jadhav tucks it down to fine leg for a run. He's straying often on the pads which is not a good thing. 150 comes up for India. IND 150/3 in 30.2 overs
15.46 IST: Agar drops it a bit short on middle and leg, Kohli worked away through the leg side for a single. 7 runs from the over. IND 148/3 in 30 overs
15.43 IST: 7 runs from the Richardson's over. IND 141/3 in 29 overs
15.40 IST: FOUR! Tripe! Bowling on the pads isn't really the greatest of deliveries that you can bowl to Virat Kohli. IND 138/1 in 28.1 overs
KANE RICHARDSON is back for another spell.
15.39 IST: 3 runs and a wicket from Agar's over, a successful one for Australia. IND 134/3 in 28 overs
KEDAR JADHAV strides out to the middle now. He needs to play sensibly here.
15.35 IST: OUT! Agar removes Manish Pandey for 3. Knocked him over! Pandey fails to play a substantial knock and is out cheaply yet again. Agar lands a quicker delivery around off, the ball straightens after pitching. Pandey looks to cut but misses the ball and finds the stumps shattered. IND 131/3 in 27.2 overs
15.34 IST: Another tight over from Coulter-Nile, just 2 runs from it. IND 131/2 in 27 overs
15.30 IST: Head bowls this around off, Virat drives it to long on for a single. 5 runs from the over. IND 129/2 in 26 overs
15.27 IST: Good over from Coulter-Nile, just three runs from it. IND 124/2 in 25 overs
NATHAN COULTER-NILE is back into the attack.
Manish Pandey is the new man in.
15.23 IST: OUT! Rahane gets run out, of all the ways Head lands it outside off, Rahane drives it through covers and sets off for a run. Kohli wants a second and Rahane responds. Cartwright from sweeper covers spears in a flat throw to Wade who collects it in front of the stumps and takes the bails off. Rahane puts in a desperate dive. The third umpire is called for. Replays show that he's just short of the crease and hence has to walk back. Ajinkya wasn't keen on the second but responded to his skipper's call. He ran the second run a tad wide and not in straight line, which meant that he had to cover an extra distance. That's the end of the 102-run stand between these two! Should bring joy for the visitors. IND 121/2 in 24 overs
15.20 IST: A run out appeal against Rahane is taken upstairs. He has put in a dive at the striker's end though but he seems to be struggling here. Wade is confident...
15.18 IST: FOUR! IND 120/1 in 23.2 overs
So, Steven Smith has asked Travis Head to roll his arm over.
15.16 IST: FIFTY! That's fifty for Rahane, his 20th in ODIs! Length ball around middle, Rahane flicks it in front of square on the leg side for a single. He's really looked good today and will look to convert this to a big score. IND 115/1 in 23 overs
15.11 IST: FIFTY! 45th ODI fifty for Virat Kohli! Agar tosses full around middle and leg, Virat drives it to long on for a run. The skipper has played a good knock given the conditions out there. But given the fitness levels he possesses, he should look to carry on and make it big. The laudable fact is that he came in to bat after Rahane but got to this milestone before him. IND 111/1 in 22 overs
15.07 IST: Tidy over from Cummins, just three runs from it. IND 104/1 in 21 overs
Pat Cummins is called back into the attack. The visitors need to break this stand. Can Pat be the one to do so?
15.03 IST: Lands this outside off from Agar, Kohli takes a run to long off. 10 runs from the over. IND 101/1 in 20 overs
15.02 IST: 100 comes up for India. FOUR! Delicate! Agar lands it just outside off, Kohli watches it till the end and plays it ever so late past the stumps. The ball runs through third man for a boundary. IND 100/1 in 19.5 overs
14.59 IST: Overthrows! Length ball around off, Kohli taps it towards mid on and sets off for a run. The fielder there, Head, has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The ball runs away towards third man allowing the batsmen another run. IND 91/1 in 19 overs
14.55 IST: STREAKY FOUR! Just wide of mid on! Stoinis bowls it short outside off, Kohli looks to pull it but gets it off the upper half to the right of mid on. Head gives it a valiant chase but the ball speeds away through the practice pitches for a boundary. Stoinis is really bowling these deliveries well. He wasn't lucky on this occasion though! IND 87/1 in 18.1 overs
14.55 IST: Just a single from Agar's over, a tidy one for the visitors. IND 83/1 in 18 overs
14.52 IST: Fuller ball outside off from Stoinis, Kohli drives it towards cover-point. Maxwell puts in the dive but is unable to prevent a run. 5 runs from the over. IND 82/1 in 17 overs
Bowling change, Marcus Stoinis is back on.
14.46 IST: 5 runs from the over, a decent one from Agar. IND 77/1 in 16 overs
Time from Drinks! The first hour of play is done and India are relatively on top with Rahane and Kohli amidst a good partnership. The pitch looks good for batting. But the sweltering heat seems to be an issue for the visitors. This drinks should be a refreshing break for them.
14.40 IST: Tidy over from Richardson, just two came off it. IND 72/1 in 15 overs
14.36 IST: 6 runs from Agar's first over. IND 70/1 in 14 overs
14.35 IST: 50-run partnership between Kohli and Rahane! Bowls it full around middle and leg, Rahane drives it to long on for a run. These two have batted well, battling the hot conditions. They need to carry on though. They have run well between the wickets apart from collecting the boundaries regularly. IND 69/1 in 13.4 overs
Spin time in Kolkata, as ASHTON AGAR comes to bowl now.
14.33 IST: Spears this on a length outside off, Rahane guides it past the diving slip fielder for a run. IND 64/1 in 13 overs
14.31 IST: A bit halt in play. The Australian players are struggling with the heat out there. Wade is feeling sick, while we see Cartwright getting an ice pack on his back. Meanwhile, the players are having refreshments. Hopefully, they all are fine...
14.28 IST: FOUR! Majestic stroke! Richardson bowls it full outside off, Kohli leans forward and drives it through covers for a boundary. IND 62/1 in 12.3 overs
14.26 IST: 6 runs from the over, a good one for the hosts. IND 56/1 in 12 overs
14.22 IST: FOUR! Kohli nails the pull! Richardson bowls it short around off, Virat pulls it through square leg for a boundary. That went on a couple of bounces into the fence. Fifty up for India. IND 50/1 in 11 overs
14.20 IST: Second Powerplay has been taken! Now up to four fielders can be kept outside the circle.
14.18 IST: Good over from Stoinis. just a single off it. IND 44/1 in 10 overs
14.14 IST: Marcus Stoinis is given the ball now. He was pretty impressive with the ball in the last match and would look to repeat his performance today.
14.13 IST: FOUR! A boundary to end the over from Rahane. Richardson bowls it on a length outside off, Rahane stays back and cuts it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. He's timed that to perfection there! IND 43/1 in 9 overs
14.10 IST: FOUR! Kohli joins Rahane, punches Richardson through covers for a boundary. The Kohli special cover drive! Richardson spears this full outside off, Kohli takes a couple of steps down the track and times his drive perfectly. Beautifully played.
14.09 IST: Kane Richardson brought into the attack!
14.08 IST: FOUR! GLorious shot from Rahane, almost a replica of the earlier boundary. IND 34/1 in 8 overs
14.05 IST: FOUR! Best cover drive of the day from Rahane off Coulter-Nile. Gracious! Coulter-Nile bowls it full outside off, Rahane gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers for a boundary. He's timing these brilliantly today.
14.04 IST: A maiden over from Cummins. IND 26/1 in 7 overs
14.00 IST: FOUR! Rahane ends Coulter-Nile's over with a boundary to extra cover. Coulter-Nile bowls it full outside off, Rahane drives it through covers for a boundary. That raced away in a flash. IND 26/1 in 6 overs
13.55 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile removes Rohit for 7. The favourite of Eden Gardens is dismissed by the one who plays for the local franchise! Coulter-Nile bowls a full ball around off, Sharma looks to drive it straight but gets it off the toe end of the bat straight to the bowler, who catches it off his right hand. But the ball slips out and he catches it off the second attempt. Rohit wasn't sure that it was a catch but the Aussies were. The umpire agrees and the batsman has to walk back. Early wicket for the visitors and that would just lift them up! IND 19/1 in 5.1 overs. Virat Kohli comes out to bat
13.53 IST: Great over from Cummins, just a single off it. IND 19/0 in 5 overs
13.50 IST: Howzzat? Close! Length ball around off, Rahane looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. The Australians appeal for LBW but to no avail. Smith thinks about reviewing that but decides against it.
13.45 IST: FOUR! Another boundary from Rahane to square of the wicket. The second of the over! Coulter-Nile bowls it on a good length outside off, Rahane stays back and opens the face of the bat to play it through point for another boundary. This should get him going in the game. IND 18/0 in 4 overs
13.44 IST: FOUR! Coulter-Nile pitches it up and Rahane plays a superb drive for a boundary towards deep extra cover. Now Rahane plays a classy and effective drive! Coulter-Nile spears in a full ball outside off, Ajinkya gets his stride out and plays it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
13.41 IST: FOUR! Rohit hits a fantastic boundary through the covers off Cummins. Rohit Sharma mesmerizes Eden Gardens with that wonderful cover drive! Cummins bowls it full outside off, the batsman drives it off the front foot. The ball just races away to the fence. IND 9/0 in 3 overs
13.39 IST: Another good over for Australia as Coulter-Nile just gives away 2 runs. IND 5/0 in 2 overs
13.36 IST: Nathan Coulter-Nile to share the new ball with Cummins.
13.35 IST: Good first over by Cummins, just 3 runs off it. IND 3/0 in 1 over
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/910777476179140608
13.28 IST: Virender Sehwag rings the big bell at the Eden Gardens as India openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma come out to open the innings. Pat Cummins to start the proceedings for Australia.
13.20 IST: Rain, rain go away, come again another day - this is what the Australians would be praying coming into the second ODI. Hello and welcome to our coverage of the game, which is to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Australia will be wary of the spin attack that the hosts posses and would look to tackle it well. They would know that it was their batting that was a huge let down in the first game and they can't afford another bad day at the office.
13.15 IST: Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (C), Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: David Warner, Hilton Cartwright, Steven Smith (C), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile
13.05 IST: Captain's Corner
Virat Kohli: We are going to bat. Looks a nice and hard wicket, doesn't have a lot of moisture in it. Tends to do a lot more in the night than the day and we have two wrist-spinners too. Was a lot of talk in last few months about the top order but middle and lower order have done the job for us in the last few games. Last game gave us confidence as a side and lifted us.
Steve Smith: Taken me seven years to get there, excited to play my 100th at Eden. Would have batted first too. Hopefully we can bowl well early and put the pressure on. Two changes; Richardson in for Faulkner, and Agar in for Zampa.
13.00 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bat against Australia at Eden Gardens
12.50 IST: The tourists, according to their former skipper Michael Clarke, have to win the second rubber in order to have any chance of taking the series. In order to do that, Smith's wards will need to improve on their death bowling which looked rather flat in Chennai conceding 83 runs in the last 10 overs.
But at this moment, all eyes are focussed heavenwards, with the Met office predicting thundershowers on the morrow. Another shortened cricketing contest is also within the realms of possibility, as the city has been lashed by spells of heavy showers over the past few days.
12.40 IST: India were down in the dumps at 87/5 in Chennai, before young all-rounder Hardik Pandya (83) and seasoned campaigner MS Dhoni (79) upturned the script with an 118-run six wicket stand that helped the hosts post a challenging total, which the Kangaroos could not match up to in a rain-truncated chase.
12.30 IST: Their tails up after overcoming initial jolts to pull off an emphatic victory in the series opener against Australia, India would look to retain the momentum in the second One-Day International on Thursday despite the leaden eyed skies threatening to play spoilsport here at the Eden Gardens.
Brief Preview:
India would expect their top-order batsmen to make amends for a rare poor show in the series-opener and hope that the spinners continue to torment Australia when the two teams clash in the second one-day international on Thursday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Australians are struggling against India's new spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and the hosts would like to ensure that it doesn't get any easy as the series progresses. Yadav is proving to be a mystery for the Aussies, who have also struggled to pick Chahal's sliders. The visitors were seen taking the help of local wrist spinners to find tricks to counter the Indian bowlers.
While Kerala's KK Jiyas helped them before the Chennai ODI, two local club bowlers -- Ashutosh Shibram and Rupak Guha -- provided some practice to the Aussie batsmen in Kolkata. Chasing a revised target of 164 in 21 overs in the rain-interrupted first ODI, Aussies were 35 for four before Glenn Maxwell's power-hitting raised hopes of an unlikely win.
But Chahal and Yadav went about their task meticulously to seal a 26-run win by the D/L method. The Aussies have a bigger threat to contend with in Hardik Pandya who steered India to a respectable 281 for seven from a precarious 76/6. Pandya hit another hat-trick of sixes -- four times in International cricket -- as he smashed 83 from 66 balls in a match-turning 118-run partnership with MS Dhoni (79 from 88).
Pandya's rise since IPL-2015 has been remarkable. From being a careless hitter to restraining his shots in the V, Pandya has matured as a player. He has also emerged as the utility medium-pace all-rounder that India have been searching for long. His knock in Chennai not only seized the momentum but had a demoralising effect on Australia's leading spinner Adam Zampa who was left ruing his "lengths". It remains to be seen how the Australian spin resources challenge the formidable Indian batting line up. The visitors have three part-time tweakers in Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Ashton Agar. (Read Full Preview Here)
