AUS vs IND: 5 Players to watch out for in 2nd ODI

After a one-sided opener in Perth, the 2nd ODI will be exciting for both sides to reset tactics. The first game spelt out a few clear storylines where Australia’s pace attack looked incisive and India’s top order didn’t click, so these five players will be the biggest movers of the match and possibly the series. Keep an eye on these players for the upcoming match.

1. Josh Hazlewood

Hazlewood’s control was a major reason India never really recovered in the opener. He beat Rohit Sharma’s outside edge early and finished with a tidy two-wicket return, routinely hitting a nagging hard length that forces batsmen to play under pressure. 

That kind of accuracy isn’t flashy, but it’s match-defining. If Hazlewood repeats the same discipline in the 2nd ODI, India’s top order will again be under the clock to force the game rather than build it. Expect Hazlewood to bowl the new ball and the first few overs of the middle overs with the same relentless length.

2. KL Rahul

India’s only substantial resistance in Perth came through KL Rahul, who top-scored with a measured 38 off 31 balls as India struggled against disciplined bowling. Rahul’s role now becomes obvious to absorb the early heat, punish anything wayward, and give the middle order a platform. 

He’s comfortable rotating against pace and can accelerate when required, something India lacked collectively in the first game. If Rahul gets time at the crease in the 2nd ODI, India can rebuild their innings rather than chase quick fireworks.

3. Rohit Sharma

Rohit’s dismissal in the first ODI was an early blow, as Hazlewood found the outside edge and Rohit fell cheaply for eight. As India’s senior opener, he bears the double burden of weathering the new ball and setting the template for scoring. 

A big Rohit innings changes the contest quickly, as it forces bowlers to alter lengths and eases run-rate pressure on the middle order. Watch whether Rohit is more patient in the 2nd ODI against Hazlewood and co., or tries to play aggressively and risks an early dismissal again.

4. Mitchell Marsh

Marsh quietly proved the difference in Perth, steering Australia home with an unbeaten 46 and taking the Player of the Match award. He’s that mix of calm and power who accelerates a chase without panicking, and Australia will look to him to anchor the middle overs again if early wickets fall. 

For India, getting Marsh out early or limiting the size of his partnerships will be a priority. For Australia, Marsh’s role is to keep the innings balanced while others look for boundary opportunities. His presence in the middle order gives Australia a stable go-to when things wobble.

5. Virat Kohli

Kohli’s return to ODI action in the series opener ended abruptly as he was dismissed for a duck in Perth. That one ball changes the narrative more than people sometimes admit. Dismissing a batter of Kohli’s calibre early lifts the bowling side and puts pressure on less-established middle-order players. 

For India, Kohli’s response in the 2nd ODI matters hugely. A composed, big knock would reset India’s chase dynamics and blunt Australia’s confidence, while another early failure raises deeper questions about momentum and selection. Australia will be aggressive at the crease. Kohli’s battle with Australia’s new-ball plans will be the micro-drama of the match.

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