Team India, on Sunday, lost the do-or-die second ODI by 51 runs to Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the win, Australia sealed the three-match series with a match remaining.
Chasing a mammoth total of 390, India ended their innings on 338 for 9. Virat Kohli top-scored for the visitors, scoring 89 while KL Rahul scored 76. The visitors were off to a good start again with Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal sharing a fifty-plus stand for the second game in a row before departing in quick succession to leave India reeling at 60 for 2 from 58 for 0.
Earlier in the game, Steve Smith scored a 62-ball ton for the second game in a row to power the hosts to a huge total of 389 for 4 in the allotted 50 overs. Apart from Smith, David Warner (83), Aaron (60), Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Glenn Maxwell (63) also impressed with the bat.
Here is what Virat Kohli said after the match:
Speaking at the end of the game, India skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his side was ‘completely outplayed’ by the hosts. He also stated that India were not effective with the ball.
“Completely outplayed. I think with the ball we were not that effective. Didn’t hit the areas we wanted to consistently. They’ve got a strong batting lineup and know the angles. Their total was a bit too steep, if you see we got 340 and still lost by 51 runs. With the areas they bowled, they were in a position to create chances and with those chances taken, they were on top,” said Virat Kohli.
Speaking about Hardik Pandya resuming bowling, Virat Kohli said:
“I think he gave away a bit of a bowling plan on this pitch, a lot of them bowled cutters (smiles). His bowling was out of nowhere I just asked him.”