INDIAN TIGERS CRUMBLE UNDER KANGAROO`S 374

 

                                                          

( Steve Smith - Man of the Match )

As was feared by most rusty Team India was overtaken quite easily by Australia, in the first One Day International, post Covid. Riding on current and former captains` centuries – Aaron Finch - 114 and Steve Smith`s 105 (off just 66 balls including 4 sixes) Aussies set 375 to win. Apart from above centurions Finch`s strong opening partnership with David Warner and late innings flurry by Glen Maxwell enabled kangaroos to set off the season in great style. Indians anyhow managed to just cross 300 thanks to some solid performances by opener Shikhar Dhawan-74 and quite entertaining and responsible knock by Hardik Pandya of 90 including 4 clean hits into the stands. But that was still far too less considering the record target Team India was chasing.

Winning toss and batting first Australians were hardly under any pressure throughout 50 overs - barring few cautious overs played by openers at start. None of the Indian bowler was able to make any impression on the top order batsmen. With excellent foundation of 156 in 28 overs , Smith and Maxwell ensured to cash on fully and raised the tempo further to set the total beyond India`s reach. Lately Jasprit Bumrah is struggling for wickets at top in this format. Shami striked first but by then tone was set for Australian batting. Absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar – who had made opener Australian Captain Finch`s life very miserable at crease throughout last year – was missed badly. With not much support from the Sydney Track Indian Bowlers were found wanting. With no wicket in first 10 overs – which was happening bit regularly last year through Bumrah, Shami and Bhuvi combination, understandably it was pressure time for youngster speedster Navdeep Saini. Not only that with no wicket in first spell of pacers it makes life difficult for spinners Chahal and Jadeja here. Set batsman can handle these slow bowlers without much undue risk and keep scoring freely .With Hardik Pandya`s role seems reduced to just pure batsman, there was no respite for all five specialist bowlers. Few dropped catches at crucial junctures made life difficult for Team India for almost four hours on the field.

India had a dream start with 50 runs in just 4.1 overs, courtesy mainly by vivid first over by Mitchell Stark of 20 runs. Mayank growing in confidence lifted Josh Hazelwood for a glorious six over cover. But ever consistent bowler was quick to learn his lesson. His adjusted , bit shorter length rising deliveries fetched him 3 wickets on the trot. Virat was unable to build on a life he got on 1 by Adam Zampa who grounded the skier. On the contrary under the pressure of mammoth target of 375 runs, he went over the board and with aggressive two fours and a six for his 21 in as many balls. Losing the wicket in the bargain while trying to play pull shot advancing down the wicket to a delivery rising bit above the chest height. Poor Sheryas Ayer had absolutely no clue about the Hazelwood bouncer and left the crease within just 2 balls. It remains to be seen how he handles the short pitched balls henceforth on the tour, as he is bound to get many from the Aussie pace battery every time he comes to bat. 80 for 3 in the 10^th over. In form K L Rahul`s soft dismissal on Zampa`s full toss made it 101 for 4 in 13.3 overs. Some brilliance in the form of Hardik Pandya and solid Shikhar Dhawan at other end though put on 128 runs partnership; it was bit too less considering the mammoth task of chasing down 375 with just Ravindra Jadeja to follow. Hardik with 2 clean hits over the sight screen drove the leg spinner Zampa out of the attack for some time. But the smart leggie had a last laugh with both the wickets of Shikhar and Hardik.  India lost Shikhar in 35^th over at 229 and Hardik in 39^th at 247 , then victory for hosts was just a formality. And made a sorry viewing even for the ardent fan.

It would be interesting to see how Ravi Shastri`s guidance, Virat and boys turn up on Sunday at same venue to save this 3 match ODI series.