Didn't hit the areas we wanted to consistently, Virat Kohli laments bowling performance

Tags: India tour of Australia, 2020-21, Australia vs India, 2nd ODI at Melbourne, Nov 29, 2020, India, Australia

Published on: Nov 30, 2020

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In an action replay of the first ODI at Sydney, Australia thumped India in the second one-dayer on Sunday. Batting first after winning the toss, the Aussies posted a mammoth 389 for 4. The total was build around another 62-ball ton from Steve Smith. All the others who batted in the match also crossed the fifty mark. Openers David Warner (83) and Aaron Finch 60) added 142 for the opening wicket. Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Glenn Maxwell (63 from 29) also chipped in with crucial contributions.

None of the Indian bowlers could make any kind of an impression on the Australian batsmen. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal all went for over 70 while Ravindra Jadeja conceded 60 in his 10. Hardik Pandya bowled four overs and made an impression with 1 for 24 while Mayank Agarwal was also asked bowl one over.

In response, Virat Kohli made 89 and KL Rahul 76 as India fought hard. However, they had just too much to do, and ended up 51-run short, finishing on 338 for 9. Most of the other batsmen got starts but could not carry on, and that kept halting India’s momentum.

Speaking after the defeat, Indian skipper Kohli conceded that they were completely outplayed. “I think with the ball we were not that effective. Didn't hit the areas we wanted to consistently. They've got a strong batting lineup and know the angles. Their total was a bit too steep, if you see we got 340 and still lost by 51 runs. With the areas they bowled, they were in a position to create chances and with those chances taken, they were on top,” he explained.

On Hardik Pandya bowling in the match, he revealed, “I think he gave away a bit of a bowling plan on this pitch, a lot of them bowled cutters. His bowling was out of nowhere. I just asked him.”

As for chasing down the target, the Indian skipper said, “KL and I thought even 100 in the last ten overs with Hardik to come was achievable. If KL and me had stuck around till the 40th over, we could have put them under pressure. The wicket was beautiful to bat on.”

The third ODI of the series will be played at Canberra on December 2.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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