Steve Smith once again showed his fielding prowess and produced a one-handed screech to dismiss Hardik Pandya in the second ODI in Vizag.
The Australian captain stood at first slip while the ball flew towards second slip. Smith went all out and dived to his right to land a one-handed stunner.
The commentators were amazed by Smith’s effort and Sanjay Manjrekar called it the catch of the century. Pandya went back for only 1 when Smith attempted a dive.
India have been struggling for every run in the fixture and have lost half their team within the first 10 overs. Shubman Gill, who is enjoying a dream run in 2023, failed to open his account and got out in two balls.
Hardik Pandya dismissed for 1. what a catch by Smith#HardikPandya #INDvsAUS #ViratKohli #SuryakumarYadav
India 49/5 now. pic.twitter.com/idE6IjpaSR— Rajkumar (@Rajkumar0507) Mar 19, 2023
Back in the playing XI after being rested from the first ODI, Rohit Sharma also disappointed and managed to score 13 runs. 15. The India captain replaced Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Suryakumar Yadav disappointed once again and got out on a single ball.
Number 4 batsman was once again dismissed by Mitchell Starc. After Suryakumar’s dismissal, a lot was expected from vice-captain Pandya but his innings came to an early end.
Ravindra Jadeja joined Virat Kohli in the middle and the duo added more than 20 runs for the sixth wicket. The onus is on Kohli to play a big innings and take India to a defendable total. A lot will also depend on the in-form Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 45 in the first ODI and took two wickets to win the player of the match award.