Poor ODI Record In Rajkot A Big Worry For India Ahead Of Do-Or-Die Second ODI

Team India will be desperate to bounce back when they take on Australia in the second ODI at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. While the Men in Blue were the favourites to win the first ODI in Mumbai, Australia handed them a timely eye-opener by winning the series-opener by ten wickets.

In a lopsided contest, Australia were on top of the proceedings for most part of the game. Barring the brief period when Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul were batting, Australia were on top throughout the match after their skipper won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mitchell Starc made an instant impact with the ball by dismissing the dangerous Rohit Sharma for just 10.

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Dhawan and Rahul then set the platform by adding 121 runs for the second wicket as they scored 74 and 47 respectively. However, once they departed in a space of six runs, India lost their way and were all out for a below par score of 255.

In reply, Australia chased down the total inside 38 overs without losing a single wicket thanks to stunning centuries from their openers David Warner and Finch. Warner remained unbeaten on 128 while Finch remained unbeaten on 110 as Australia registered their biggest ODI win over India in terms of wickets. The loss also saw India losing an ODI at home by ten wickets for only the second time and first since 2005.

Bad record in Rajkot:

While India will be desperate to turn the tables at Australia in the upcoming game, the history and stats are firmly against them as far as playing an ODI in Rajkot is concerned. So far, India have played two ODIs in Rajkot and have lost both of them. In 2013, they lost to England by 9 runs before losing to South Africa by 18 runs two years later.

While records and stats will not be of much importance in the upcoming game, it could affect Team India’s psychologically. Well, the Virat Kohli-led side is known for its nature of bouncing back and the team will be looking to do it once again to keep the three-match series alive.