As Australia have taken an impregnable 2-0 lead in the ODI series, India’s troubles playing XI have come out strong. After the first ODI, which the hosts won by 61 races, Indian captain Virat Kohli made it clear that the all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not in a position to resume bowling internationally.
Even the same off-roader, at the post-match press conference after scoring 90 runs in Sydney, said he is in the process of returning to bowling in international cricket, but is not yet ready for the match. In fact, it was a shock when Kohli decided to give the ball to Pandya in the second ODI and went on to throw 4 overs.
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Former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra has pointed to Kohli’s “hasty” decision making in the second ODI, at Syndey’s cricket ground, with too many bowling changes. Nehra said that some of those decisions were made in such a hurry that they didn’t make any sense. While Hardik Pandya pocketed Centurion Steve Smith’s window on his 4 overs, Kohli gave Mayank Agarwal an over to throw as well.
“In today’s game Virat Kohli gave two overs to Mohammed Shami and then brought in Navdeep Saini. I wanted Shami to pitch from the other end, I get that, but then why would he use Jasprit Bumrah for just two overs with the new ball?
I agree that Virat Kohli is making frequent bowling changes. He only had five bowling options. India used Mayank Agarwal and Hardik Pandya; it was a decision made on the spot. If things were going the way of India, you wouldn’t have seen these two beat each other, ”Nehra said on Cricbuzz.
“Virat Kohli is quick to make decisions. Also in the previous game (first ODI), after Kohli was eliminated, he looked like he was in a hurry. Kohli has chased 350 multiple times in his career, not a big deal for him. But it looked like it was chasing 475, not 375, ”Nehra added.
“I think Kohli is an impulsive captain. You are making too many changes to your bowling alley. And this is an area you need to take care of. “
Hosts Australia won the second ODI by 51 races, in Sydney, and thus took a series victory at the ODI.
