Sports October 24, 2025
Connolly’s 61* lifts Australia to 2‑0 ODI series win over India
When Cooper Connolly, the 22‑year‑old Western Australia all‑rounder, smashed an unbeaten 61 off 53 balls, Australia clinched a 2‑0 lead over India at Adelaide Oval on 23 October 2025. The win came with 22 balls to spare and ended a 17‑year unbeaten run for India at the venue.
Series backdrop and the Adelaide showdown
The three‑match ODI series began in Perth, where rain‑slicked conditions saw Australia chase down a modest target with seven wickets in hand. Heading into Adelaide, the hosts already held a 1‑0 advantage and were looking to seal the deal before the final leg in Sydney. Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain, won the toss and chose to field – a decision that would prove spot‑on.
India posted 264/9 in their full 50 overs, anchored by a gritty 73 from captain Rohit Sharma and a stylish 61 from Shreyas Iyer. The Indian bowlers, led by Adam Zampa who claimed 4 for 60, kept the Australian chase honest, forcing early wickets.
How the chase unfolded
Opening the innings, Travis Head contributed 28 runs off 40 balls before falling at 54/2. Marsh’s own 11 from 24 balls added little, and the scoreboard read 54/2. Matt Short then steadied the ship, putting together a 55‑run partnership with Matt Renshaw. When India struck back to 132/4, the tension rose, but it was Connolly’s entrance that shifted the momentum.
Connolly and Short forged a 55‑run stand for the fifth wicket, after which Connolly launched into a flurry of boundaries. He later linked up with Mitchell Owen, adding a decisive 59‑run partnership that nudged Australia past the target with 3.4 overs left.
Voices from the field
“It’s awesome and rapt to have won the series,” said Mitchell Marsh in the post‑match press conference. “The guys kept their cool, and the crowd gave us a massive lift.”
Connolly explained his nervous‑centred routine: “I actually had a moment where I was thinking about how I felt during the BBL final in 2023. To bring myself back down, I start singing to myself between every ball. It helps me stay relaxed, especially with legends like Virat and Rohit watching.”
Impact and what it means for both sides
Australia’s series win not only secures a clean sweep in the now‑dead‑rubber third match but also restores confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers. The victory quashes India’s longest unbeaten streak at Adelaide Oval – a venue where they had not lost since 2008. For the Indian camp, the loss underscores the need to adapt to slower pitches that favour medium‑pace swing. Cricket analyst Sarah Lumsden noted, “Australia’s middle order showed depth that India struggled to break. If India can tighten their death‑over bowling, the series could have swung either way.”
Looking ahead: Sydney dead‑rubber
The final ODI is slated for 25 October 2025 at Sydney Cricket Ground. While the result won’t affect the series tally, both teams will use it to fine‑tune strategies for the upcoming Asian Test Championship.
- India: 264/9 (50 overs) – top scores: Rohit Sharma 73, Shreyas Iyer 61.
- Australia: 265/8 (46.2 overs) – top scores: Matt Short 74, Cooper Connolly 61*.
- Man of the Match: Cooper Connolly (Australia) – unbeaten 61, 5 fours, 1 six.
- Key bowler: Adam Zampa (Australia) – 4/60.
- Series result: Australia 2‑0, one match left (dead‑rubber).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this series win affect Australia’s World Cup preparations?
The clean sweep gives Australia a morale boost and confirms the form of key middle‑order batsmen like Matt Short and Cooper Connolly. Coaches will likely lock in the current lineup for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, emphasizing the successful chase‑strategy that worked at Adelaide.
What was the significance of ending India’s 17‑year unbeaten run at Adelaide Oval?
India had not lost at the venue since a 2008 defeat, a streak that fed into their confidence on Australian soil. Breaking that run not only shifts the psychological balance but also highlights Australia’s ability to exploit the slower‑turning Adelaide pitch.
Who were the standout performers for India despite the loss?
Captain Rohit Sharma’s 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s 61 were the backbone of the Indian total. Additionally, Washington Sundar’s economical 2 for 37 helped keep Australia’s run‑rate in check during the middle overs.
What can fans expect from the dead‑rubber match in Sydney?
While the series is already decided, both sides will experiment with batting orders and bowling combinations. Expect some young talent to get a look, and the match will serve as a rehearsal for the tactical tweaks ahead of the Asian Test Championship.
Why did Mitchell Marsh choose to bowl first after winning the toss?
Marsh assessed the early‑morning conditions at Adelaide as favouring seam movement. The decision paid off as Australia’s bowlers, especially Adam Zampa, extracted swing and kept India under the 270‑run mark.
