Image Credit: BCCI
Adelaide [Australia], October 23, 2025: Following India’s series-clinching defeat against Australia in the second ODI, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer reflected on his crucial partnership with skipper Rohit Sharma and lauded young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly for his match-winning half-century.
Batting first, India posted 264/9, courtesy of a 118-run stand between Rohit (73 off 97 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and Iyer (61 off 77 balls, 7 fours), after early blows from Xavier Bartlett (3/39) had reduced the hosts to 17/2. Axar Patel (44 off 41 balls) and a late cameo from Harshit Rana (24* off 18 balls) ensured India reached a competitive total despite Adam Zampa’s four-wicket haul (4/60).
During the post-match press conference, Iyer emphasized the importance of his partnership with Rohit. “It was a very crucial stand. We just wanted to build momentum after losing early wickets. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on — the ball was moving a lot and Hazlewood was bowling superbly. We focused on rotating the strike and taking calculated risks to reach a total we could defend,” Iyer said.
He also praised Connolly, whose unbeaten 61 off 53 balls (5 fours, 1 six) guided Australia home alongside Matt Short (74 off 78 balls). “Connolly showed great maturity for a youngster. I’ve seen him in the India A vs Australia A series, and he’s always been fearless and smart in choosing bowlers to attack. Credit to him for finishing the game with composure,” Iyer added.
Chasing 265, Australia found themselves at 54/2, but solid contributions from Short, Connolly, and Mitchell Owen (36 off 23 balls) kept the visitors in control. Despite brief fightbacks from Washington Sundar (2/37), Arshdeep Singh (2/41), and Harshit Rana (2/59), Australia comfortably sealed victory and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Zampa was named Player of the Match for his decisive four-wicket spell.
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