The Indian cricket team suffered a 1-2 defeat in the three-match One Day International series against Australia, while while some players delivered stellar performances, several big names failed to live up to expectations. Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma shone with the bat, earning the 'Player of the Series' award, and young pacer Harshit Rana impressed by finishing as the leading wicket-taker. However, established batsmen like Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli had a series of fluctuating fortunes.
Shubman Gill: A Disappointing Outing as Batter and Captain
For young opener Shubman Gill, this series proved to be profoundly disappointing both as a batsman and as a captain. Expectations were high for him to provide a solid start, especially on Australia's fast pitches, but he failed to make an impact in all three matches. His highest score was a mere 24 runs, and he managed to score at an average of just 14. 33. As captain, he couldn't leave a significant mark either, recording the worst performance by an Indian captain in an ODI series against Australia. Under his leadership, the team lost the first two matches, handing the series to Australia prematurely.
Rohit Sharma: The 'Player of the Series' Saviour
Veteran Indian batsman Rohit Sharma showcased his class by accumulating 202 runs in the series. After a subdued start in the first match where he scored only 8 runs, Sharma made a strong comeback. He played a cautious yet crucial knock of 73 runs in the second ODI, helping the team post a respectable total. In the third and decisive encounter, with the team facing a humiliating 3-0 whitewash, Rohit unleashed a magnificent century, scoring 121 runs, which ultimately led India to a consolation victory, while his heroic performance earned him the 'Player of the Series' title, providing a much-needed silver lining for the Indian camp.
Virat Kohli: A Mixed Bag with a Late Resurgence
Virat Kohli, usually a formidable force on Australian pitches, found this series particularly challenging, while he failed to open his account in the first two matches, raising concerns among Indian fans. However, he staged a strong comeback in the third ODI, celebrating even a single against Josh Hazlewood, signaling his renewed confidence, while he then went on to score an unbeaten 74 runs, partnering with Rohit Sharma to secure the win for India. While this innings hinted at his return to form, his initial struggles Notably impacted his overall report card for the series.
Shreyas Iyer: Stability in the Middle Order
Number four batsman Shreyas Iyer delivered a mixed performance throughout the series. In the first ODI, he scored 11 runs in a rain-affected match where quick runs were paramount, while however, he followed it up with a crucial 61-run knock in the second ODI, helping the team reach a competitive total. He didn't get an opportunity to bat in the third match. Beyond his batting, Iyer also contributed Notably in the field,. Taking some excellent catches and providing vital breakthroughs for the team.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar: All-round Contributions
Left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel made contributions with both bat and ball. He played vital innings of 31 in the first match and 44 in the second ODI, helping the team cross the 250-run mark. With the ball, he was economical, though he managed to pick up only 3 wickets across three matches. Similarly, Washington Sundar picked up 5 wickets in 3 matches, putting pressure on the Australian batsmen. However, he couldn't make a significant impact with the bat, scoring only 22 runs in two innings. Both all-rounders played crucial roles in maintaining the team's balance.
Performance of Other Key Players
Young pacer Harshit Rana emerged as one of the biggest finds of the series. He claimed 6 wickets in 3 matches, becoming the leading wicket-taker, while in the final match, Harshit's spell of 4 wickets played a crucial role in restricting Australia to under 250 runs. He also contributed 24 runs with the bat in the second ODI, which proved valuable for the team. While he was a bit expensive in his bowling at times,. His wicket-taking ability established him as a key player for the team.
Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul played a quickfire 38-run innings in the first match but could only manage 11 in the second, and his wicketkeeping was average. Nitish Reddy was given opportunities in two matches but scored only 19 and 8 runs respectively, without getting a chance to bowl. Mohammed Siraj managed only 2 wickets in 3 matches, while Arshdeep Singh, playing two matches, picked up 3 wickets, impressing with the new ball but proving expensive in the middle and death overs, while kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna were given only one match each and failed to make a significant impact, with Krishna being particularly expensive and dropping an easy catch.
