Indian captain Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
After Rahul and Kohli fell, the chase of 270 became difficult and India lost the game by 21 runs, which meant they lost an ODI series at home after four years
Team India’s batting woes continued on Wednesday as they suffered a 21-run loss to Australia in the series decider in Chennai. Chasing 270, Rohit Sharma & Co. started decently but failed to cross the finish line. Australian spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar tore apart India’s batting order and bowled them out for 248. The win not only gave the Aussies a 2–1 series win but also catapulted them to the top of the ICC team rankings. Back-to-back wins helped him unearth India and become World No. 1.
This was India’s first ODI series defeat at home since losing 2–3 against Australia in March 2019. The Men-in-Blue have played 10 bilateral series at home since 2018 and have lost only to Australia, that too twice.
Read this also ‘We didn’t bat well’: Rohit Sharma calls 21-run defeat a ‘collective failure’
Despite having an opening partnership of 65 runs between India, India lost four wickets for 43 runs. Virat Kohli And KL Rahul added 69 runs for the fourth wicket. But after Rahul and Kohli fell, the chase fell short and India ended on the losing side, which meant they lost an ODI series at home after four years.
Australia have an excellent track record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where they lifted the trophy on Wednesday night. So far, they have played six ODIs at this venue and have lost just one against India in 2017.
Meanwhile, Adam Zampa, who won the player of the match award, was the pick of Australia’s bowlers, taking 4 for 45. Ranchi in 2014. Prior to Zampa, the last Australia to take a 4-fer in an ODI was Brad Hogg; 4/49 at Nagpur in 2007.
“I’ve had some success here. It’s a tough place to come, always a big challenge. I try to stay in the game and be competitive. Ashton Agar changed the game. Hats off to bowlers who came before me.” Bowled. We trust each other and trust our game plan. The message was to trust our process and improve on it.
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