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Australian hitter Steve Smith celebrates his second century in a row against India at SCG on Sunday.
Consecutive centuries of Steve Smith have given Australia an ODI series victory over India, which suffered a 51-race loss at the SCG on Sunday despite a thrilling chase led by Virat Kohli.
Smith backed up Friday’s scintillating 105 with a masterful 104 on the second day, guiding Australia to a 389-4 record total.
Kohli, whose 89 composite shot never seemed to stop until a dive Moises Henriques wobbled in a spectacular midwicket catch at 35th, created all sorts of headaches for Australia.
The India pattern was well supported by KL Rahul (76), while Mitchell Starc was hammered 0-82 in nine overs.
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However, the hosts had too many runs to play and the game ended with another late finish at 10:46 pm.
“Completely outgunned … they have a very strong hitting lineup,” Kohli said.
Smith contributed two catches when India finished 338-9, ensuring that Wednesday’s series finale in Canberra is a dead rubber.
“I didn’t give a chance today [unlike on Friday]. I felt good from the first ball, I was able to come in and do it hard, “Smith said.
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“I tried to hit the ball too hard in the IPL. I started trying to hit the ball a little more delicately.”
Australia’s victory was affected by an adductor injury suffered by David Warner, who was rushed for a scan after an accident in the field.
But Smith made another ominous warning that he could have a great summer, sapping the morale of Indian bowlers when the temperature reached 40 ° C.
The right-hander picked up gaps with ease, moved across the field with typical textbook abandon, and produced another riveting reel to celebrate consecutive tons of a day for the first time in a decorated career.
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Josh Hazlewood celebrates after taking the Virat Kohli wicket.
There were myriad parallels to Smith’s earlier attack from the same attack on the same terrain, leading Australia to 374-6 and a 66-run victory in the opener of the series.
Surprisingly, Smith took 62 deliveries to hit three figures both times.
On Friday, Aaron Finch won the drawing and shared a 156-run position with Warner before Smith took over the contest.
On Sunday, Finch opted to hit and enjoyed a 142-run partnership with Warner before Smith led Australia to its highest ODI score at the place.
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Virat Kohli of India plays a shot past the wicket, passing Adam Zampa.
The talented hitter likely would have completed Sunday’s century at 61 balls were it not for an ill-timed stumble by hitting partner Marnus Labuschagne at 41st.
Smith marked the milestone during the same change, removing his helmet and kissing the plaque before hugging his protégé.
The former captain enraged himself shortly after, having tried to get too funky while forwarding Hardik Pandya’s delivery straight to Mohammed Shami, but the damage was well done.
Glenn Maxwell recovered from a gorilla hit to the helmet and made another entertaining cameo, finishing 63 out of 29 balls, while Labuschagne (70), Finch (60) and Warner (83) also scored freely.
