Short and Connolly Lead Australia to Series Victory

Short and Connolly Lead Australia to Series Victory

Australia chased down 264 to win the ODI series in Adelaide, powered by Matt Short, Connolly, and Owen. Hazlewood’s tight spell and India’s missed chances proved decisive despite Rohit’s gritty 73.

Australia wrapped up the ODI series in Adelaide with one game still left to play. They chased down India’s total of 264, but the real hero early on was Josh Hazlewood. He didn’t take a single wicket, yet bowled one of the most impactful spells you’ll see—tight lines, relentless accuracy, and constant pressure. His efforts helped others strike, and India never really got away.

India looked better than they did in Perth, but still not quite themselves. Shubman Gill lost the toss again, and India had to bat first on a pitch that had been freshened up by rain. Hazlewood was on fire from ball one—Rohit Sharma couldn’t get him away and took 25 balls just to score a single run off him. Rohit had a few lucky escapes but hung in there to score a fighting 73.

Gill looked sharp but got out trying to be aggressive. Then came a big moment—Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck again, the first time he’s ever had back-to-back ducks in ODIs. It was a full ball from Bartlett that swung in and trapped him in front. Kohli walked off to a standing ovation, possibly for the last time at a ground where he’s had so much success.

India were 29 for 2 early on and needed Rohit and Shreyas Iyer to steady things. They did well to survive Hazlewood’s seven-over spell, which was full of dot balls and false shots. Once Hazlewood was off, things got easier. Rohit broke free with two sixes in one over, and Iyer joined in with a boundary. They handled the spinners smartly, rotating strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Both batters reached their fifties, but just when India looked set to push on, they lost momentum. Starc got Rohit with a short ball, and then Zampa cleaned up Iyer and KL Rahul. Axar Patel played a handy knock of 44 but also fell trying to go big. Zampa ended with four wickets, and India were suddenly 226 for 8.

Thankfully, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh added some valuable runs at the end. Rana even took 16 off Zampa’s final over, denying him a five-wicket haul. Their 37-run stand helped India reach 264—a score that gave them something to bowl at, but still felt below par.

India started well with the ball. Siraj and Arshdeep kept things tight, and Marsh fell early. Even Travis Head, who usually troubles India, was dismissed for a slow 28. But after that, India couldn’t keep the pressure on. Matt Short and Matt Renshaw added 55 runs, and though Axar and Washington picked up wickets, the momentum had shifted.

India missed key chances—Axar dropped Short on 23, and Siraj dropped him again on 55. Connolly and Short made the most of it, finding boundaries and keeping the chase on track. Short eventually fell for 73, but by then, the damage was done.

Then came Mitch Owen, who played a blinder—36 off just 23 balls, with two fours and two sixes. He took the game away in a flash. Even though he got out, Connolly stayed calm and finished things off, sealing the win and the series for Australia.