Rohit Sharma hit a brave half-century at the Adelaide Oval to rescue India in the 2nd ODI. Xavier Bartlett had quickly removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in the same over, leaving India in trouble. Rohit then stayed calm, mixed solid defense with a few clean shots, and reached his 59th ODI fifty in 74 balls. With Shreyas Iyer at the other end, he helped rebuild the innings.
Match Overview (Live Context)
- Fixture: India vs Australia, 2nd ODI
- Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Toss: Australia opted to bowl
- India Score (after 22 overs): 94/2 | CRR 4.27
- Series: India trail 0–1
The Story So Far
Australia struck hard with the new ball as Xavier Bartlett delivered a double blow—Shubman Gill (9) and Virat Kohli (0) in the same over. From 17/2, Rohit Sharma led India’s rebuild with a patient, responsible knock, reaching fifty off 74 balls.
Partnering Shreyas Iyer (33* off 45), Rohit steadied the innings with a 77-run stand off 91 balls. On a morning of tight lines from Hazlewood and Starc, Rohit mixed caution with class—soaking pressure early, then releasing it with two trademark pull-shot sixes off Mitchell Owen.
Commentary note: This was described as Rohit’s slowest fifty vs Australia in ODIs, highlighting the discipline required on a tricky surface.
Rohit Sharma’s Fifty – Quick Facts
- Runs/Balls: 50 (74)
- 4s/6s: 4 / 2
- Strike Rate: 67.57
- Milestone: 59th ODI fifty
- Key Phase: Back-to-back pull-shot sixes off Owen to shift momentum
- Context: Came at 17/2 after both openers’ partners fell in the 7th over
Mini Scorecard (India – after 22.0 overs)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 50 | 74 | 4 | 2 | 67.57 | Not out |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | c Marsh b Bartlett |
| Virat Kohli | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | lbw b Bartlett |
| Shreyas Iyer | 33 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 73.33 | Not out |
| Extras | 2 | (w 2) | ||||
| Total | 94/2 (22.0) | RR 4.27 |
Fall of Wickets: 17-1 (Gill, 6.1), 17-2 (Kohli, 6.5)
Rebuild in Numbers
Key Partnership (for 3rd wicket)
| Batter | Runs (Balls) |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 42 (46) |
| Shreyas Iyer | 33 (45) |
| Total | 77 (91) |
Australian Bowling (to 22 overs)
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 7.0 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 3.14 |
| Mitchell Starc | 5.0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 4.60 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 6.0 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Mitchell Owen | 2.0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Adam Zampa | 1.0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Cooper Connolly | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 |
Notable Spells:
- Hazlewood beat the bat repeatedly but stayed wicketless.
- Bartlett delivered the damage: Gill and Kohli in one over.
Over-by-Over Turning Point
- Over 7 (Bartlett): Double strike—Gill caught at mid-off; Kohli lbw for a duck. India slump to 17/2.
- Overs 18–21: Rohit changes gears—two sixes off Owen, then a sweep four off Zampa, bringing up fifty.
- Over 21.5: Rohit’s landmark—59th ODI fifty (74 balls)—described on air as his slowest vs Australia.
Projection (at CRR ~4.27)
- At 30 overs: ~128–130
- At 50 overs: ~206–220
Note: Actual finish will hinge on how long the Rohit–Iyer stand extends and India’s middle-over acceleration.
Read Also:- Rishabh Pant Set for Comeback as India A Captain
Micro-Milestone Watch (From the Commentary Feed)
- Rohit Sharma crossed 1000 ODI runs in Australia vs Australia, a rare club achievement noted during the early overs.
- Trivia: Today marked the 100th RO–KO ODI partnership appearance (stand lasted only four balls).
Why This Fifty Matters
- Game Situation: Arrived when India were in serious trouble at 17/2.
- Surface & Quality Bowling: Negotiated high-class spells from Hazlewood and Starc.
- Momentum Shift: The back-to-back pulls off Owen flipped the pressure, raising India’s run-rate and dressing room energy.
- Series Context: With India 0–1 down, a set Rohit anchors the batting blueprint for a defendable total.
Simple Takeaway
This is not a typical free-flowing Rohit special; it’s a captain’s deputy knock crafted with patience, control, and timely power. Exactly what India needed after a horror over from Bartlett. If the set pair bat deep, India can eye 210–230 and stay in the game.
FAQs
Q1. What was Rohit Sharma’s score at fifty?
50 off 74 (4×4, 2×6).
Q2. What was India’s score when the fifty came?
Around 92/2 in the 21st over; formal update at 94/2 (22 ov).
Q3. Who dismissed Gill and Kohli?
Xavier Bartlett—both in the 7th over.
Q4. Who is batting with Rohit?
Shreyas Iyer (33* off 45) in a 77-run partnership.
Q5. What made this fifty special?
Described as Rohit’s slowest ODI fifty vs Australia, showing grit on a testing morning and turning momentum with two clean pulls.
