Mumbai: India lost the opening rubber against Australia in Perth by five wickets on Tuesday despite a spectacular ton by Rohit Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 171. Where did Team India, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, go wrong? Here are the possible reasons.
No performance from spinners: Whenever in trouble, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came to the rescue but the scene at WACA was different. A deck, best suited for speedsters, could not provide much help to the tweakers. Both went for more than 60 runs in their spell.
R Ashwin conceded 68 runs in nine overs, with two wickets. (Photo: AP)
Steve Smith – the magician: If any batsman could match up to superman AB de Villiers in world cricket today, it has to be Smith. The Australian skipper, with his ability to change shots at the last minute, continued doing what he does best against India – slam a century. He made 149 off 135 before being dismissed in the last over.
Steve Smith en route his ton against India at WACA in Perth on Tuesday. (Photo: BCCI)
George Bailey decision: A mute appeal from wicketkeeper Dhoni could be the reason behind umpire Richard Kettleborough saying ‘not out’ which appeared as a clean deflection from Bailey’s glove in the very first ball he faced from Barinder Sran. India’ s unwillingness to accept the current DRS form backfired them.
Australia batsman George Bailey registered his third ODI ton on Tuesday. (Photo: AP)
Ishant Sharma benched: Ishant Sharma — who once shook former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting at the same venue in 2008 — wasn’t included in the playing XI. His presence could have added sheen to the Indian pace attack.
Ishant Sharma was not included in the ODI squad for the Perth ODI. (Photo: ICC)
Australia at home: No matter what, the Aussies were playing at home. The last time India played a limited-over series, they lost (to South Africa) in their own backyard. Dhoni’s team needed a confident win behind their back before the tour Down Under.
The Australia team celebrate the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in Perth on Tuesday. (Photo: BCCI)
