It wasn’t just the margin of defeat, by 66 runs, but the way the home team exposed India’s vacant off-road locker that will give virat Kohli Y Ravi shastri numerous points to ponder.
Hardik Pandya’s 76-ball-90 was a good inning at best, but like the Champions Trophy final in 2017, the brilliant shot would never help India win the contest.
To add insult to injury, Pandya frankly admitted that he won’t be bowling anytime soon and even if he swings his arm, he’s likely to be in 20+ World Cups.
So without a backup SUV or plan B in place, India will have to execute its plan A to perfection.
That leaves Kohli with bowlers who can’t hit and a higher order where no one can play. Kohli did a bowling or two, but that’s history as far as the pattern is concerned.
With the three best of Australia: captain Aaron Finch, David warner Y Steve Smith – hitting the straps immediately, Jasprit Bumrah and company will have no choice but to pick up the pieces and give a better account of themselves in a strip that promises to be a belter.
India’s mix is highly unlikely to change unless both Yuzvendra chahal and Navdeep Saini are declared unfit.
The duo collectively conceded 172 runs in 20 overs between them and the wrist-spinning skinny left the field after sustaining a field injury just after completing his spell.
Saini, on the other hand, has back spasms and Thangarasu Natarajan has been included in the team of more than 50 as a cover.
Should they be ruled out, Shardul Thakur, with good hitting skills, could replace Saini and the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav will be a forced trade.
For Australia, the Cameron Green off-roader may be rewarded with an ODI cap as Marcus Stoinis suffered from lateral strain during the first game.
Both pattern Finch and Smith hinted that Green is in line to debut at ODI.
While the five bowler theory is certainly hurting India, some of the shooting picks at the top of the order left a lot to be desired.
Especially Shreyas Iyer, whose firing was an embarrassing sight as she clumsily defended herself against a well-run goalkeeper from Josh Hazlewood.
For Mayank Agarwal too, the extra rebound turned out to be his downfall, but he’s too good a player to consistently miss.
Skipper Kohli, the man who is revered by the Australian team, the media and the general public, would love to play a signature ODI shot, the flashes of which were on display during his 21st in the first ODI.
“From a hitting point of view, we had a short chat after the game, we all made a commitment to play positively and that’s why you saw everyone come out and play with intention,” Kohli had said after the game.
The lack of a sixth bowling option will put tremendous pressure on Bumrah, whose previous form of ODI has abandoned him since he returned from his stress injury.
While he was brilliant in the IPL, much like the New Zealand series in February, the Gujarat slinger looked like a pedestrian in the SCG.
A draw on Sunday will be easier said than done.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar dhawan, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (vice captain and goalkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan
Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (week), Pat cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Moises Henriques, Andrew Tye, Daniel Sams, Matthew wade (goalie)
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