India were bundled out for 125 runs in the second T20I at Melbourne on Friday. The Australians chased down the target quite comfortably in the second innings. If not for Abhishek Sharma’s 37-ball 68, things would have been a lot more bleak for the Indian side. Former Indian cricketer Varun Aaron said India were 30-40 runs short in their batting innings.
“India were very off, first of all, with the amount of runs they put on the board. They should have scored at least 30 to 40 runs more in these conditions. I think they pulled the trigger and then they just couldn’t stop going after that. Then, with the new ball, they could have been slightly better,” he responded speaking on Star Sports.
“The challenge is that a lot of players, including me, are on their first tour here. We knew about the extra bounce and pace, but still the way they bowled, surprised us,” Abhishek Sharma said at the post-match press conference. “They were very disciplined with their line and length, and credit goes to them.”
“Our plan was to dominate up front, but it was a little unexpected for us. When wickets are falling in front of you, no matter who the batter is, you have to play for the team. The wicket was difficult; it wasn’t easy to hit shots,” Abhishek revealed.
Defending 126 runs, India started well in the opening over; however, things eventually turned. “I thought Bumrah started off really well, with over the wicket. Then we went around. That changed plans. Harshit was a bit too short. In these conditions, you can sometimes get carried away with pace and bounce, but you have to put it in the right areas. Josh Hazlewood is the best example of this,” Aaron observed.
Australia, led by captain Mitchell Marsh, made short work of India’s below-par target of 126 as they waltzed to a 4-wicket victory in just 13.2 overs in the 2nd T20I in Melbourne on Friday. Marsh slammed a 26-ball 46, peppered with 2 fours and 4 sixes, as the Indian bowlers couldn’t rein in the big hitting. He was ultimately sent back by Kuldeep Yadav, but it was too little, too late. Marsh’s opening partner, Travis Head, smashed a 15-ball 28 before Varun Chakaravarthy snapped him up.
