India has lost first ODI of the five-match ODI series against Australia. So another bad start to the year, as the same thing happened at the start of 2015. India batting first scored 309 for 3, which was India’s highest score in Australia. But, India lost it to the brilliance of captain Steve Smith and George Bailey who scored 149 and 112 runs respectively. Debutant Barinder Sran took three wickets in the match but his effort has gone in vain alongside Rohit Sharma’s 171.
But what has gone wrong for India in the match?
Sluggish batting
India scored mammoth 309 for 3 wickets. But, after the end of the match, it looks not a defendable target for Indian bowlers. India after the fall of the first wicket Shikhar Dhawan played slowly. India got their hundred in 23 overs and next hundred came around 40 overs. But Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played 260 balls off three balls and scored 262. But, this innings did not help India. If they rotate the strike in the middle of the process then India could more run. For Australia, Steve Smith and George Bailey rotate the strike in the middle of the innings.
DRS
India is the only Test playing nation who don’t support Decision Review System. Early in the Australia’s innings, George Bailey had nicked behind the wicket and was caught by MS Dhoni. But umpire decided to give him not out. Later Bailey went on to score 112 and built a match-winning 242 runs partnership with Steve Smith, who scored 149.
Bowling
Debutant bowler Barinder Sran made a dream debut as he took three wickets conceding 56 runs. But he needs to work on his speed. However, bowling spearhead failed to strike in the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also did not conceded many runs but has gone wicketless.
Dhoni’s decision to play two specialist spinners in the match
India’s two specialist spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were proved expensive as they were targeted by Steve Smith and Goerge Bailey. Ravichandran Ashwin has conceded 68 runs in 9 overs while Ravindra Jadeja’s presence was not felt throughout the match. He conceded 61 overs in 9 overs. Though Ashwin took two wickets when the match was virtually over. MS Dhoni had to ask Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bowl a few overs. But, his decision backfired as Rohit conceded 11 in one over while Virat Kohli conceded 13 runs in two overs.
Dhoni on the eve of the match decided to leave Rishi Dhawan out of favour as he said India don’t have any allrounder seamer. Dhawan has been selected in the squad for his performance in domestic circuit as an allrounder. Dhawan’s presence in the Perth ODI in place of Ravindra Jadeja could help India’s cause.