Indian batsmen made runs but could not sustain in bringing out a consolation win. Team India put their heart and soul into snatching a most famous defeat from deep within the jaws of victory, handing Australia a 25-run win on a gift-wrapped platter. Given the start India got off to and the platform laid by their top order, anything short of an easy win was highly unlikely. That they not only lost, but did so in such spectacular fashion was testament to the gross ineptitude India displayed on the day. Rohit Sharma laid the platform with a brief but vital 25-ball 41 to get India off to a solid start. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli took over after that, and all but ensured India romped home to an effortless win by putting on 212 for the second wicket. In a fine burst of pace bowling, Kane Richardson accounted for five scalps to become Man of the match. In a twist that would have made James Hadley Chase proud, India lost 5 for 17 and then 9 for 46, going from 277 for 1 to 323 all out. A great collapse was on the cards as we have an inexperienced side in the back of the order to achieve an impregnable total. Finch and Warner made a match of it after winning the toss and the batsmen to follow made it big with purposeful hitting in the end overs to make a total beyond Team India’s reach. The great collapse at Canberra will not be forgotten for years.
Nickhil Mani
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