Marsh’s BRUTAL display, Smith’s ‘catch of the century’ contender as records fall in ruthless Aussie win

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith pulled off one of the most spectacular slips catches you’ll ever see before Mitch Marsh produced another breathtaking display of power hitting as Australia thrashed a hapless India in the second ODI.

Smith’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid dividends, with left-armer Mitchell Starc tearing through India’s top order on his way to another ODI five-wicket haul.

India was bowled out for a paltry 117 — its third-lowest ODI total against Australia ever and fourth-lowest total on Indian soil — off just 26 overs as overnight rain helped the fast bowlers with swing and seam.

But Marsh made it look like batter-friendly conditions in Visakhapatnam during Australia’s rapidfire chasedown of India’s target, claiming the nation’s sixth ever 10-wicket win with a whopping 39 overs to spare. It was the shortest successful run chase against India in men’s ODI history and the third-biggest win for Australia in men’s ODIs by balls remaining

After a stunning 81 in a losing cause during the first ODI, Marsh produced another blistering knock as an opener, smashing six fours and six sixes in his unbeaten 36-ball knock of 66.

Marsh and Travis Head (51*) entered T20 mode, chasing down the target in just 11 overs to hand India an embarrassing loss.

“It was a bit of fun. When you’re chasing a short total like that it’s always important to get off to a good start,” Marsh said post-game.

“I was actually hoping Heady would get off to a flyer so I could nick and nudge them around. But we both got going and it was a lot of fun.”

Earlier, Starc had Shubman Gill out for a duck after a Marnus Labuschagne catch before the Aussie paceman dismissed Rohit Sharma (13), Suryakumar Yadav (0) and KL Rahul (9) to have India in strife at 4-48.

But Smith would steal the show in the 10th over with a stunning catch to dismiss India superstar Hardik Pandya.

Pandya edged a length delivery from Sean Abbott into the slips cordon. Smith, who was standing at a conventional second slip position, dived full-stretch to his right and plucked the ball in his right hand close to the ground to dismiss Pandya for one.

TV commentator Sanjay Manjrekar cheekily suggested it could be the “catch of the century” – to which former Aussie short-form skipper Aaron Finch responded: “It’s not far off.

“An absolute blinder from Steve Smith,” former Aussie skipper Finch said on the broadcast.

“Who needs three slips when you’ve got Steve Smith standing there?

“He’s been known over the years to take them one-handed beauties. Last game there was a lot that just got to his fingertips, but this one … straight into the hand. Almost catches it behind him – brilliant.”

Former Indian quick Ajit Agarkar added: “I don’t think he could’ve gone any further. That; s at full stretch, one-handed, flying to his right.

“You’ll never get tired of watching that.”

Virat Kohli attempted to hit back for India with a score of 31 that included four boundaries before he was trapped in front by Nathan Ellis.

Wickets kept tumbling and the departure of Ravindra Jadeja, the hero from Friday’s first match in Mumbai, for 16 off the bowling of Ellis added to India’s woes.

Starc wrapped up the innings with his ninth ODI five-wicket haul.

Axar Patel, who came into the team in place of Shardul Thakur, was unbeaten on 29 after hitting two sixes.

Earlier, the Aussies confirmed David Warner’s international return had been put on hold.

The expectation was Warner would play both the second and third ODIs against India after he suffered a fractured elbow while also sustaining a concussion in the Test series.

But the Australian opener wasn’t named for the second ODI after he was ruled with a corked quad.

Alex Carey returned to take the gloves and replace Josh Inglis, while Glenn Maxwell was replaced by paceman Nathan Ellis.