India vs Australia 2nd ODI: We didn’t apply ourselves and it wasn’t a pitch to get out for 117: Rohit Sharma
Visakhapatnam: India vs Australia 2nd ODI: India captain Rohit Sharma admitted that his players did not perform well during the first innings of the second ODI against Australia where they were bowled out for a paltry 117 in just 26 overs. He added that the nature of the pitch was not where teams would reach that score.
Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc proved to be the chief architect in Australia rallying India to post their fourth-lowest total at home to claim his ninth five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Then openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh struck a blistering fifties to chase down the total in 11 overs, handing India their heaviest defeat in terms of 39 overs.
Starc, who picked up a hat-trick in the first ODI in Mumbai, produced another stunning display of swing bowling to establish himself in the top order before dismissing Mohammed Siraj to finish with 5-53. Sean Abbott was outstanding with 3-23 while Nathan Ellis provided great support with 2-13 as all Australian fast bowlers took ten Indian wickets.
In a very disappointing batting performance, India lost four wickets in the Power-play for the first time since their ODI World Cup 2019 semi-final loss to New Zealand. Four batsmen fell for ducks as only Virat Kohli and Axar Patel could cross 25.
“It was a good ground for us, but unfortunately we didn’t play well today. We didn’t apply ourselves and it wasn’t a pitch to get to 117. Even if you lose the first couple of wickets, it’s important to make a partnership or two to get back into the game.”
“I don’t think we batted well enough and that was a failure on our part from a batting perspective. When you’re only 117 on the board, the batsmen have nothing to lose and then try to swing the bat and get off to a good start.”
“Once that happens, they continue to press. Sometimes we did it like in England when we had to go for 110 and we did it in 12 or 13 overs if I’m not mistaken. The failure today was from our batsmen,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference.
Sunday’s match was also the second in a row that India’s top-order failed to push through after being dismissed cheaply in the first ODI in Mumbai. Apart from that, Starc’s five showed that the Indian batting order continues to struggle against the pedestrian left-armers, which Rohit refused to look at any further.
“These are just two matches that didn’t go too well for the top flight. In the last six games we played, it was literally on fire. Lots of top-order batsmen have had big runs in previous games. When we need to look into it, we certainly will, but now is not the time.” When we have a quality bowler in front of us, he always takes the wicket.
“I’m worried about losing a wicket. It doesn’t matter if it’s right-handed or left-handed. Etc. That’s it, and to be honest there’s only been two games where the top order has gone wrong.”
Moreover, Suryakumar Yadav has not found his mojo in ODI cricket as Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out with a back injury. Suryakumar, 2022 T20I batting, was dismissed twice in the same manner against Australia.
It has been 16 innings since Suryakumar scored 50 in ODIs. However, Rohit kept his cool and helped Suryakumar shine in the format, adding that he would be given consistent runs to gain a foothold in 50-over cricket.
“I don’t know about Iyer coming back. There are vacancies now, so I have to play him [Surya Kumar]. He has clearly shown a lot of potential in the white ball and I have said that many times. To the players who They have great potential and will be given opportunities.”
“Of course, he also knows it’s about the slightly longer format of the game. He has things on his mind as well. I know I’m not given enough chances in the game, where I know I shouldn’t feel. Like I’ll get enough runs.”
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