AUS vs IND 2025: Matt Short leaves field with bleeding fingers in second ODI

Australian all-rounder Matthew Short sustained an injury during the second ODI against India on Thursday, October 23, at Adelaide Oval. Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field first bringing in Alex Carey, Xavier Bartlett and Adam Zampa to the playing XI for the second ODI.

The incident occurred in the 34th over when Josh Hazlewood bowled to KL Rahul. On the fifth ball of the over, Rahul edged the delivery, sending it low toward the lone slip, Short. Diving to intercept, Short misjudged the bounce, and the ball struck his fingers, causing heavy bleeding. He immediately left the field for treatment, which shows the challenges posed by Hazlewood’s extra bounce.

Despite the injury, the Aussies remained in control early in the match. India, however, found themselves on the back foot after losing two top-order wickets inside the powerplay. Xavier Bartlett dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in quick succession.

Gill, attempting to advance down the pitch, was caught by Marsh at mid-off for nine runs, while Kohli was trapped plumb lbw for a duck, marking another disappointing outing after being dismissed cheaply in the first ODI by Mitchell Starc.

Star opener Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings, forging a crucial 118-run partnership for the third wicket. The 38-year-old scored 73 from 97 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, while Iyer contributed 61 from 77 balls, including seven fours, keeping the Men in Blue in contention despite the early setback.

The right-arm pacer Hazlewood bowled a disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 0/29 from his 10 overs, including two maidens, but the Indian partnership prevented Australia from running away with the game.

Australia currently lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 and will look to seal the series in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, the visitors will aim to bounce back and level the series in the third ODI, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at Adelaide.