AUS vs IND 2025: "Showing so much maturity to finish off the game, that shows a lot of character" - Shreyas Iyer lauds Cooper Connolly after 2nd ODI

Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma's fighting half-centuries in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23, went in vain, as Australia chased down a tricky 265-run target in 46.2 overs with two wickets in the bank.

Shreyas was particularly impressed by the 22-year-old Cooper Connolly's performance as the youngster remained unbeaten on 61 off 53 balls to take his team to victory. While Shreyas felt that the pitch got better for batting in the second innings, he lauded the southpaw for the maturity he showed, targeting particular bowlers to score boundaries and rotating strike throughout his knock.

"I absolutely have no idea because I was fielding the far end of the square. So when you mentioned that the wicket changed, what was happening exactly? I mean, it was easier to bat on in the second mix. But credit where it's due. I think they played brilliantly. The way they batted, they rotated their strikes. I think it was superb performance," Iyer said in the post-match press conference after being asked about the nature of the wicket changing in the second innings.

"And Cooper, especially being a youngster, coming and showing so much maturity to finish off the game, that shows a lot of character. And he's someone I've seen even in the India A versus Australia A matches. He was charging on the bowlers and very selective in terms of which bowler to target. So credit where it's due," he added.

They had fair bit of advantage at the start and they utilized it pretty well: Shreyas

Shreyas was asked how difficult it is for him to play just one format in international cricket. The 30-year-old has taken a temporary break from red-ball cricket, and he hasn't played a T20I since December 2023. Talking about Australia's bowling effort in the second ODI, Shreyas said that the hosts' bowlers had the advantage of bowling when conditions were in their favour in the first innings and they made the most of it.

"I personally feel there's no challenge. It's just about adapting to the conditions and we keep training here and there. And also it's important that we maintain our, you know, intensity outside the field. We've got to be match prepared. And when we step onto the field, at the back of the mind, you need to have that, you know, scores. Especially the confidence, that sort of confidence you get from domestic cricket. And lately, coming into this tournament, I played India A-Series matches as well. So that gave me immense boost coming here. And obviously, you've just got to back yourself in such crucial games where you know that you'll be challenged by the best. And when the best are there, you've got to give your best," Iyer said.

"So I always love challenges and I always like to take the bulls by the horn. It definitely hurts. I personally feel that the first game which we played, it wasn't that convincing, to be honest. Because the rain played an important role and the benefit went to the Australia side. But that's one reason which I'm giving over here. But coming into this game, it was definitely a do-or-die for us. And we wanted to place our best foot forward. But losing two crucial wickets at the start and then to build up that innings, it takes a lot of efforts. And I personally feel the way Australian bowlers, they bowled on such wicket. They had fair bit of advantage at the start and they utilized it pretty well," he added.

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Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with their win on Thursday. The two teams will now head to Sydney for the final ODI, which is scheduled to be played on Saturday, October 25.