India vs Australia 2019: Marcus Stoinis Feeling Empty After Morale Shattering Defeat in the 2nd ODI

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis played a good knock against India in the 2^nd ODI to keep the visitors in the match till the final over. However, he was dismissed on the very first delivery of the final over of the match as Australia needed 11 of the final over of Vijay Shankar to win the contest. Stoinis has been an important member of the Australian limited overs squad. But he has not been able to convert his fifties into match-winning knocks.

He is currently 17^th in the list of the Australian players with most 50 plus scores in ODI losses after his 26 ODI’s. He tied with Geoff Marsh, Mark Taylor and Graeme Wood. Among those knocks, the 8 run loss to India was one such day for the all-rounder. Marcus Stoinis reflected on the defeat and said he was feeling empty after losing such a close encounter.

“Just a bit of an empty feeling coming to the end of the game,” Stoinis was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

“We did well, fought hard, got close but we didn’t get the result we wanted. Hindsight is a beautiful thing … you think if this partnership goes longer or you take a risk earlier (what would have happened), all that sort of stuff. You never know what’s going to happen.

India will look to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ranchi ODI

The home team will look to take an unassailable 3-0 lead when the two teams meet in the 3^rd match of the series. The match will be played in Ranchi, the hometown of MS Dhoni. Stoinis revealed that they haven’t spoken much after the loss. They tend to have a more relaxed conversation the next day.

“We haven’t had a debrief yet … when emotions are going it’s probably best to let that settle than have a more relaxed conversation the next day,” Stoinis said.

Captain Virat Kohli proved to be the difference between the two sides. The champion batsman smashed his 40^th ODI century and ensured India reached a competitive total of 250 runs. After his dismissal, India folded out cheaply and failed to play their full quota of 50 overs. MS Dhoni was dismissed for a golden duck yesterday. However, he has also hit a purple patch and has helped India win quite a few matches in the recent past.

Marcus Stoinis hails Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni for their exceptional composure

Dhoni played a match-winning knock in the 1^st ODI as he remained unbeaten on 59 of 72 deliveries.  “Virat and MS play very different roles, but they make sure they get the job done for the team,” Stoinis said.

“Two of the best players in the world … so there’s things to learn from them and it’s probably fortunate we’re playing them so frequently leading up to a World Cup.”