‘Aise hi bhasan dete raho’ – Fans frustrated after Rohit Sharma explains the rationale behind India’s batting strategy vs Australia in second ODI
Team India were brought down as Australia pummeled them by 10 wickets in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam. The batting was a complete no-show from the Men in Blue. The Indians folded up for just 117 which was the third-lowest total for India in ODIs. This was also the fourth-lowest total against the Kangaroos at home.
After the game, Rohit gave an assessment of the team’s batting performance, this is what he had to say. “We thought we could put pressure on Australia and while trying to play aggressively, I lost my wicket”. This is what transpired for India. The Men in Blue lost the wicket of Shubman Gill early. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli tried to bat aggressively and put the pressure back on Australia, but Rohit played a rash shot and lost his wicket to Starc.
Mitchell Starc picked up his 9th five-wicket-haul against India in ODIs
Then wickets fell continuously at regular intervals. There was no comeback from India as Starc was at his menacing best. He picked up brilliant figures of 5-53 in just eight overs. The left-arm-pacer was vicious and troubled the Indian batters. The top order did not come to party and Virat Kohli and Axar Patel were the only two batters who got respectable scores. Starc received support from Nathan Ellis and Sean Abott who picked up Kohli and Hardik Pandya respectively.
This bowling performance was total annihilation against India. In the run chase, the Indian’s did not have time to lick their wounds. The Australians played in T20 mode and raced to the target of 118 in just 11 overs. Travis Head was unbeaten on 51 off 30 balls with 10 fours. Mitchell Marsh was unbeaten on 66 off 36 balls with six fours and six sixes. Both of the ODIs were low scoring games but Australia made a mockery of India at Visakhapatnam.
India failed to negotiate the left-arm pace threat. It remains to be seen how India will make comeback at the series decider in Chennai. India will want to sort out their top order woes before the go and play in the Indian T20 League. The Men in Blue have their hands full and have to find answers to the tough questions.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter –
Tu saale ki shaadi mein hi naach jaake
— Indian (@Indian05088794) March 19, 2023
This is the excuse of rohit sharma..the reality is that he can't play grounded shots
— Cilentreta (@cilentreta) March 19, 2023
Toh Retire hoja naa
— Nikhil Sharma (@NikhilS27039351) March 19, 2023
Band karo ye aggressive cricket khelna apna normal cricket khelo. @ImRo45
— Ꮢᴏᴍᴇᴏ⁴⁵ 🇮🇳 (@Romeo__0007) March 19, 2023
Bazball isn't for everyone dude!
— Debanjan Maitra (@d2maitra) March 20, 2023
Rohit should realize his fitness is very poor. It is time he learns from youngsters and Virat how to keep himself physically fit.!
— Sathya (@snk7797) March 19, 2023
Top order batters are failing in every match every format.
— Manas 🇮🇳 (@manaspn) March 19, 2023
Atleast India used to win bilateral matches under Kohli's captaincy but now thats gone too 🤦♂️
— Shaurya (@ShauryaWasTaken) March 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/Impandey63/status/1637459099758612480?s=20
India thought of and tried to play t20 style.
But Australia have actually played t20 style.That's the difference
— Name cannot be blank (@krishna_18vk) March 19, 2023