India vs Australia 2020-21: Records galore as Virat Kohli and co suffer series defeat in 2nd ODI
This was India's fifth consecutive loss in ODIs, as they have failed to defend the title they won from their last visit, in 2018-19. India are already coming off a 0-3 whitewash in New Zealand, as they would aim to avoid their second consecutive whitewash in Canberra.
FollowIndia succumbed to yet another heavy defeat to Australia, as they were beaten by 51 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI), at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), on Sunday. With this loss, India have lost the series, as they would now aim to avoid a whitewash in Canberra. Meanwhile, we take a look at the records scripted in this tie.
India concede a couple of unwanted ones: Having played 978 ODI matches to date, India came up with an unwanted record for the first time. They have given away a 100-plus opening stand for the first time in three successive ODIs after David Warner and Aaron Finch contributed 142 today. Also, they have now registered the worst bowling average for the first wicket in a calendar year. India average 125.42 this year.
Finch and Warner among the best opening pair: Following the 142-run opening stand today, it was Finch and Warner's 12th such stand. Consequently, they have now become the second-best pair to do so, after Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, who did so on 16 occasions.
Steve Smith joins a rare list: Smith played a sublime knock of 104 today. In the process, he has now become only the second batsman, after New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, to score five consecutive 50-plus scores against India in the format. He also scored the joint third-fastest ODI century for Australia, in just 62 deliveries, having done the same on Friday. He is led by James Faulkner (57) and Glenn Maxwell (51) in the same. He is also the fourth batsman to score three consecutive ODI centuries, after Zaheer Abbas, Nasir Jamshed and Quinton de Kock. Smith is also the second batsman to score consecutive ODI centuries in less than 70 deliveries, after Jonny Bairstow against New Zealand and Scotland in 2018.
Australia script yet another unique: Five of the Aussie batsmen scored 50-plus scores today. In the process, this was the third instance of an ODI witnessing the same. Australia has done so previously in 2013 against India, while Pakistan did so against Zimbabwe in 2008.
Australia post their highest against India: The total of 389/4 today by Australia turned out to be their highest ODI total against the side. The best happens to be 438/4 by South Africa, followed by 411/8 by Sri Lanka.
Mitchell Starc registers his worst since 2019: Starc was very expensive today, being plundered for 82 in nine overs, without any success. Consequently, he recorded his worst ODI economy in an ODI against India since 2019, of 9.67.
Kohli fastest to 2,000 runs against an opponent: Kohli scored his 2,000th run against Australia in ODIs today. Meanwhile, he became the quickest batsman to do so, in 34 innings, bettering Rohit Sharma's previous record of 37.
Match summary: Winning the toss, Finch once again elected to bat first. The openers, Warner and Finch, contributed to a 142-run opening stand, while five batsmen scored 50-plus. Smith, who top-scored with 104, helped the side post 389/4. In reply, India did manage to build partnerships, with skipper Virat Kohli top-scoring with 89. Nonetheless, the scoreboard pressure took a toll on them, as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, thereby falling short by 51 runs, while Pat Cummins claimed 3/67.
