After winning the first match of the three-match ODI series against Australia, Team India was dealt a harsh reality check in the following match, which was played on Sunday in Visakhapatnam. Mitchell Starc’s spell, which also included a fifer, rocked India after they were asked to bat first.
On Cricbuzz, ex-India pacer Zaheer Khan was asked if he thought India should bring in Umran Malik for the final ODI. The former cricketer felt Umran’s addition should be done only if there is a niggle in the camp and instead chose to put the onus on batters, particularly the top three, to provide a solid platform for others to explode.
The issue is first 10 overs: Zaheer Khan
“You look at the first match score, you got the team all-out for 188. Today you didn’t have a chance of making any impact because your batters didn’t really step up and got you to that platform. I think it’s all about providing that kind of platform. I won’t go too much in that part what bowlers have done wrong. They’ve played their part in the first match.
“The last two games that has happened you clearly know where the issue is. The issue is first 10 overs, with the bat in hand what are you doing with it? You are not really setting the platform for your middle order.
“How Mitchell Starc has done that with new ball, which is providing platform to the next bowlers to come and continue with that pressure. So similarly when you’re losing wickets, the pressure is already formed on the next batter to come and deal with the best bowler.
“How can you negate that, how can you avoid that kind of a situation is going to be the challenge. That’s why all answers in the series is lying with the batters. And they need to regroup, they need to come with solutions, they need to plan and if they are able to provide with the platform then your bowlers will step up,” said Zaheer.
Starc led the Australian attack, dismissing opener Shubman Gill in the first over and then dismissing captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. Starc then delivered another blow in the form of KL Rahul, providing his teammates with a platform to exploit, as was the case. The Indian innings was over in 26 overs for 117.
