Bailey guides Oz to two-nil ODI series lead

Australia, for the second game in a row, chased down a score in excess of 300 as they beat India by seven wickets to take a two-nil lead in the five-match ODI series.

Chasing a target of 309 to win, Australia openers, Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch, put on 145 in 25 overs to give the hosts a good platform to seal the game at Gabba in Brisbane.

Both the openers were out for 71 within the space of four overs and it required a small repair job from captain Steve Smith and George Bailey, who both scored centuries in the first game of the series in Perth.

The pair added 78 for the third wicket until Smith was bowled by paceman Umesh Yadav, for 46, with the total on 244 at that stage.

Although India were given a glimmer of hope it was quickly snuffed out as Bailey (76*) played the match-winning innings that was required for the home team.

Glenn Maxwell (27 from 25 balls) kept the former skipper company as Australia ultimately cruised to victory with one over to spare.

Earlier, India opener Rohit Sharma (124 off 127 balls) hit his second ton in a row but it as again in vain as the Asian side posted a score of 308 for eight in their 50 overs.

Rohit received good support from Ajinkya Rahane (89) and Virat Kohli (59) but they just cannot seem to muster enough runs to put the Aussies under decent scoreboard pressure.

The third ODI is scheduled to take place in Melbourne on Sunday.

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