Highlights
- Indian man proposes to his Australia girlfriend during the second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground
- Australia beat India by 51 runs, clinch series 2-0
- Steve Smith scored a second consecutive century against India, guiding Australia to a massive total of 389 runs
Melbourne man Dipen Mandaliya took the game home as he surprised his Australian girlfriend, Rose Wimbush with a marriage proposal, as the men in blue were chasing a mammoth target of 390 runs posted by the hosts.
In a promposal that will be remembered by cricket fans for years to come, the Indian-origin data analyst got down on one knee to pop the question in the middle of a crowded stand full of boisterous fans with cricketer-turned commentators Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist chanting ‘please say yes' in the background.
And she did and proudly showed off her ring thereafter heralding a wave of celebration in the stands and from Glen Maxwell who applauded the gesture from where he stood in the field.
Speaking to SBS Hindi after the match, Mr Mandaliya said cricket was what got them together in the first place and nothing could have been more befitting than winning her forever in the stands.
The first time we met, we talked so much about cricket. So I thought it was the right occasion as we both love the game
His fiance, Ms Whimbush said she was "overwhelmed" by the proposal and the attention but all in a good way.
India wins in the stands but loses to the hosts on the field
Virat Kohli plays a shot during the second ODI cricket match between Australia and India at the SCG in Sydney. Source: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
While India got off to a good start, a target of 390 proved to be too much for the visitors as they were stopped at 338 for loss of nine wickets, with skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul finishing as primary contributors to the Indian side’s yet another forgettable outing.
Openers Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan put on a 58-run stand before they threw their wickets in quick succession. Captain Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then put on a 93-run partnership before Iyer was dismissed by Moises Henriques.
But as Kohli’s wicket was caught by a diving Henriques at midwicket, India lost their hopes of reclaiming the field, even though it left Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul on the run-chase, it wasn’t good enough as it didn’t take long for the visitors to fall to a 51-run defeat.
Conceding that his side had been outplayed, captain Kohli said: “We did not pick areas where we wanted to with the ball,” during a post-match presentation.
"I think with the ball we were not that effective. We just didn't hit the areas that we wanted to consistently. And they have got a pretty strong batting line-up, and they understand these conditions and pitches and the angles on the field well," he said.
The undefeated hosts:
Moises Henriques of Australia (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Shreyas Iyer of India during the second ODI. Source: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
A terrific ton from Steve Smith who also later chipped in with two catches bolstered the Australian side to a record-breaking total of 389 for four. This was his second consecutive century against a formidable Indian attack.
Besides Smith who clearly took charge of the contest, opener David Warner hit 83 off 77 while captain Aaron Finch contributed 60 runs to the score.
The duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell also continued the attack steering Australia towards a humongous total and a series win - in what was a must-win match for the visitors.
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