Australia beat India by 10 wickets in the second ODI (BCCI photo)
This defeat was an eye-opener for India, especially when the team is going to play the World Cup this year, that too at home. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that the batsmen didn’t apply themselves in the game
A 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second ODI in Visakhapatnam was nothing short of a nightmare for Rohit Sharma’s team India. The captain’s return was seen as a massive boost for the hosts, which also saw a massive crowd at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in support of the hosts. But it proved to be a memorable day for Australia, highlighted by a five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc and some blistering fireworks from Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. By the end of the day, the visitors returned with a draw, making the final encounter in Chennai a series decider.
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After being asked to bat first, India suffered their first blow in the opening over when Starc dismissed Shubman Gill. Once the youngster is gone, the rest of the batting order collapses like a house of cards. 31 scored by Virat Kohli was the highest individual score for India as the hosts were bundled out for 117 runs. In reply, Head and Marsh scored half-centuries and took Australia home in only 11 overs.
This defeat was an eye-opener for India, especially when the team is going to play the World Cup this year, that too at home. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that the batsmen did not apply themselves in the game.
“We didn’t apply ourselves with the bat. Didn’t get enough runs on the board. It was not 117 wickets. Kept losing wickets and that didn’t give us the runs we wanted,” Rohit Sharma said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Once we lost Shubman in the first over, me and Virat scored quick 30-35 runs. But then I lost my wicket and we lost two wickets in a row. Due to which we came on the back foot. It is always difficult to come back from that position. Today was not our day.
Apart from the loss, Rohit was full of praise for Starc and Marsh.
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“Starc is a quality bowler. He’s been doing it for Australia with the new ball. He kept bowling to his strengths. Swinging the new ball and taking the oddball away. Kept the batsmen guessing,” Rohit said. Said.
“Marsh has got to be one of the top players when it comes to power-hitting. He pats himself on the back every time he does this. Definitely in the top 3 and 4 when it comes to power-hitting,” he concluded.
India and Australia will now face each other in Chennai on Wednesday in the third and final match.
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