The Indian cricket team suffered a major setback in their bid to regain glory in Australia by losing to the hosts in the first ODI in Sydney on Friday by 66 runs. Kohli’s India was asked to chase 375 in 50 overs after captain Aaron Finch and Steve Smith each scored a ton to help their team to a whopping 374/6 total in 50 overs. Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan recorded half a century of fighting, but it was not enough to push India to the limit.
Speaking in a video chat on Cricbuzz, former England captain Michael Vaughan said that India is missing a sixth pitcher on the team and all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unable to play. Vaughan also said that India lacks depth in hitting and therefore a World Cup with this team would be difficult for them.
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“For the ODI India team, the biggest concern for me, if I were a selector, or in management, would be the lack of the sixth bowling option. They need at least 6 or 7, and the lack of depth in this hitting lineup, ”Vaughan said.
“I know we are a long way from the World Cup, but I don’t see this formation winning the World Cup. With 5 or 6 bowling options, and 7 batters and then you’re on your bowling pins.
“You think the IPL has been around for so many years that the selectors would have discovered the players who could play that role, whether it’s a couple of top-six players who can pitch or an all-rounder. When Hardik starts bowling, they’ll have that bowler, “he further said.
“But once you start looking at the structure of the team to have an even greater chance of winning the World Cup in Indian conditions, because I don’t see, as we see, the training they have now, to win the World Cup, ” He explained.
India will play Australia in the second ODI in Sydney on Sunday.
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