The loss in the series shows that India is far from being World Cup ready and there are too many unresolved issues to resolve
Post Date – 10:45 PM, Wednesday – 3/22/23
AFP photo
Chennai: The Indian batting team was once again smothered under relentless pressure from the Australian spinners as the visitors clinched a three-match ODI series 2-1 with a comfortable 21-run victory here on Wednesday.
Chasing a stiff target of 270 over a tricky pitch, India took all 248 in 49.1 overs as Australia returned to the series after losing their first ODI by five wickets.
The defeat in the series shows that India is far from being World Cup ready and that there are too many unresolved issues to resolve.
The match proved to be an anti-climax in the final 15 rounds as Australian spinners Adam Zampa (4/45) and Ashton Agar (2/41 in 10 rounds) grabbed As many as six India wickets conceded just 86 runs in the match with 20 overs between them.
The Chepauk track was getting slower and over 35 in the Indian innings it was hard to hit big shots. Once Zampa threw a few googlies to force Hardik Pandya (40 off 40 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (1 off 33 balls) to hit the turn, the writing was on the wall. It was Zampa’s best performance against India and he is undoubtedly Australia’s hero.
Incidentally, Australia was the last international team to beat India in a bilateral ODI series in 2019. The score at that time was 3-2. India have won seven consecutive bilateral ODIs at home since their loss in that series four years ago. For three games in a row, India’s top players have been flattered to cheat them, and at home as well.
Had Australia scored at least 235 in the opening ODI, they would have been eliminated 3-0 in the series. India’s best run in the series was KL Rahul with 116 runs, which tells the story. Between 35 and 43, India ran just 31 runs and that was the turning point of the game.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (30 off 17 balls) got off to a good start but hit a draw too much to hole out over the deep square leg fence, while Alex Carey convinced Steve Smith to ) decision to accept DRS saw Shubman Gill (37 balls) back 49 balls).
Rahul (32 off 50 balls) was joined by Kohli (54 off 72 balls) and the duo added 69 runs in 15.3 overs but in a game that became slower as time went on. On the road, they have never been able to dominate. Kohli’s first boundary came in his 21st over, pulling a pull shot off the Agar, and after Tamil Nadu’s two balls, he hit from the Agar with extra cover A regal six. Rahul’s first wicket was his 45th when he smacked Zampa over the top of his head for four.
Next, Stark fired from the wide crease, but the long ball was hit for six in a row. However, Zampa’s shot into the box was blocked by Rahul, but Abbott timed his jump and grabbed the ball on the touchline. Then it was Agar’s turn to quickly send back Kohli and the out-of-form Suryakumar Yadav (0) for his third first ball in as many games.
India fell from 146-2 to 185-6 when Pandya and Jadeja joined forces with the Australian close fielders, making the game very difficult. But despite tight bowling by the opponent, Pandya managed to keep the 100-plus strike rate. Early on, Pandya’s brilliant opening spell and Kuldeep Yadav’s tentative effort clung to the Australian batsman before it wagged its tail wildly, taking the visitors to 269 in 49 overs after opting to bat first In the game. Five wickets added 131 to keep Australia in the game.
While Pandya (3/44 in 8 overs) was eliminated in the first half, Kuldeep’s (3/56 in 10 overs) pace and guile on the useful Chennai track were the biggest takeaways as the latter sent Carey was the clutch shot of the series. It was a classic left-arm wrist spinner’s leg break that beat the southpaw and it was all over, and Kuldeep’s ecstasy was there to be seen.
India were in control after leveling Australia 138-5 but Carey and Marcus Stoinis scored 58 between the sixth wicket and Sean Abbott (26) and Ash 42 for the eighth wicket between Don Agar (17) took them close to 250 while Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa added 22 valuable runs for the final wicket.
What looked to be a good pitch for Australia’s victory did not appear to be the case after Mitchell Marsh (47 off 47) and Travis Hyde (31 off 33) struck 68 in the opening wicket, As Pandya hit three different pitches in his first three balls, he fully seized the momentum in favor of the hosts.
David Warner (23 off 31 balls) and Manus Labuschagne (28 off 45 balls) before Carey (38 off 46 balls) played his first innings of substance on the final day of nearly two matches , their rash shot selection in Kuldeep bowling paid dearly – Moon Tour.
