India vs Australia 2nd ODI: India sets towering 400-run target for Australia in Holkar Stadium showdown

In an extraordinary display of batting prowess at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Team India has set an imposing target of 400 runs for Australia to chase. The outstanding performances of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, both achieving centuries, propelled India to a total of 399/5, with four Indian batsmen surpassing the 50-run milestone.

Australia’s stand-in captain, Steven Smith, won the coin toss and opted to bowl first. Although Josh Hazlewood managed to dismiss Ruturaj Gaikwad (8 off 12) early on, Gill (104 off 97) and Iyer (105 off 90) orchestrated a remarkable 200-run partnership for the second wicket, even amidst a brief rain delay. Sean Abbott claimed Iyer’s wicket in the 31st over, shortly after a missed opportunity to dismiss India’s number 3 batsman in the same over. KL Rahul, batting at number 4, initiated his innings with a maximum but later departed after Gill’s impressive display, featuring 6 fours and 4 sixes, with Cameron Green taking the crucial wicket.

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Ishan Kishan’s cameo at number 5 added 31 runs in just 18 balls before he was dismissed by Adam Zampa. Rahul managed to reach his half-century but was subsequently dismissed by Green, following an explosive performance by Suryakumar Yadav, who hammered four consecutive maximums off his fellow Mumbai Indians teammate.

Yadav concluded the innings unbeaten at 72 runs in 37 balls, an astonishing feat that included 6 sixes and an equal number of fours. Notably, this remarkable performance also marked the fastest ODI half-century by an Indian against Australia, with Suryakumar Yadav reaching the milestone in just 54 balls. Now, the focus shifts to Australia’s pursuit of this formidable target in what promises to be an enthralling contest.