The three-match ODI series between India and Australia got concluded on Wednesday (22 March) as the visitors beat the Rohit Sharma-led by 21 runs in the series decider. Australia clinched the series 2-1. It was Team India’s first-ever defeat in a home series after 2019. The Mem in Blue’s unbeaten streak for 26 bilateral series was broken and they have no one else to blame themselves. While the bowlers did their part in all three games, the batters let the team down.
The biggest talking point was Suryakumar Yadav falling for a golden duck in all three games. The swashbuckling batter failed to comprehend seam movement as well as turn in the three games as he fell to Mitchell Starc in the first two matches and Ashton Agar in the third ODI. While he was served two screamers by Starc, Surya’s lack of foot movement resulted in his dismissal in the third ODI.
India captain Rohit Sharma also highlighted the same when he was asked about SKY’s dismissal in the third ODI. Rohit pointed out that Surya could have gone forward to that delivery from Agar rather than playing it on the back foot.
“Today, it wasn’t that good ball, he should have gone forward,” Rohit said. “He knows best. He plays spin so well. We have seen that over the last couple of years. That’s why we held him back and give him that role for the last 15-20 overs where he can play his game, but it’s really unfortunate he could only play three balls. That can happen to anyone. But the potential and ability are always there. He is just going through that phase right now.”
“Once we played the first 10 overs, the ball did not swing at all. There was no question of swing where Surya could be troubled or anything like that. It was a tactical move. We wanted to use his potential at the back end along with Hardik. These two players would have been ideal for us but unfortunately, they got out.”