India has once again lost to the Aussies in Australia. Chasing a big total of 309, the Aussies won the match in the last over with five wickets to spare.
A bouncy WACA pitch usually does not favor the visiting teams. But an in-form Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ensured that India reach a respectable total. After making 309, India would have expected to win this match, but the crucial let-off to Bailey by the umpire saw both Bailey and Smith growing in strength to clinch the match. And Steve Smith, as I had predicted in my previous post, went to win the man of the match trophy.
It needs to be seen why umpires make such crucial errors and whether India's denial of selecting DRS has to do with such seemingly innocent umpiring errors. Bailey's dismissal could have changed the complexion of the match as the next ball was a hat-trick ball for the new-comer Sran. There are too many decisions going against India at crucial times and there seems to be no action against such umpiring mistakes. It's time the Indian cricketing think-tank does something about this issue.
The logic of selecting two spinners in Perth also needs to be questioned. India would have been better if they had included another fast bowler. Since spinners can only effect containment, it is risky to field two spinners on fast and bouncy pitches Down Under.
India will win matches when we our expectations are at the lowest. Let us see whether they can spring one or two surprises in later matches.
A bouncy WACA pitch usually does not favor the visiting teams. But an in-form Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ensured that India reach a respectable total. After making 309, India would have expected to win this match, but the crucial let-off to Bailey by the umpire saw both Bailey and Smith growing in strength to clinch the match. And Steve Smith, as I had predicted in my previous post, went to win the man of the match trophy.
It needs to be seen why umpires make such crucial errors and whether India's denial of selecting DRS has to do with such seemingly innocent umpiring errors. Bailey's dismissal could have changed the complexion of the match as the next ball was a hat-trick ball for the new-comer Sran. There are too many decisions going against India at crucial times and there seems to be no action against such umpiring mistakes. It's time the Indian cricketing think-tank does something about this issue.
The logic of selecting two spinners in Perth also needs to be questioned. India would have been better if they had included another fast bowler. Since spinners can only effect containment, it is risky to field two spinners on fast and bouncy pitches Down Under.
India will win matches when we our expectations are at the lowest. Let us see whether they can spring one or two surprises in later matches.
