Visakhapatnam, Mar 19: An unbeaten 121-run opening partnership between Mitchell Marsh (66 not out) and Travis Head (51 not out) helped Australia thrash India by 10 wickets in the second ODI here on Sunday to level the three-match series 1-1.
Chasing a meagre target of 118 after Mitchell Starc’s 5/53 had destroyed India’s batting, the tourists completed the task in just 11 overs.
Earlier, Mitchell Starc once again turned out to be tormentor-in-chief as his five wicket haul blew away India for a lowly 117 against Australia in the second ODI, in Visakhapatnam on March 19, 2023.
Starc, who had three wickets in the previous game, took 5 for 53 in eight overs, including four in his first spell as India were bowled out for their third lowest total against Australia, in just 26 overs.
With nip off the surface providing lot of help, Starc bowled ideal back-of the length deliveries with a couple angled across the right-handers and a few which came in after pitching.
The decisive damage was done by Starc while Sean Abbott (3/23) and Nathan Ellis (2/13) then bowled hard lengths to run through the lower-middle order in what turned out to be a disastrous day for the hosts.
Virat Kohli did hold one end up for a while with a 35-ball 31 and Axar Patel scored an entertaining unbeaten 29 studded with two sixes off Starc.
Their innings were the only bright spots for India with their batting exposed once again by swing and pace.