India’s woes linger, but all is not well for Aussies too

Lack of bowling options to back up the regular bowlers and inability to switch to the ODI format quickly enough has already plunged India to a series defeat against Australia with one match still left to be played.

India, trailing 0-2 after conceding record totals to Australia in both the ODIs at the Sydney Cricket Ground, have now lost five ODIs in a row. Prior to this they had lost three in New Zealand in February before Covid-19 pandemic halted international cricket.

Australia opener David Warner has been ruled out of the remaining white-ball matches against India after injuring his groin during the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series.

D’Arcy Short has been called in as Warner’s replacement in the T20I squad for the three-match series which begins Friday. Additionally, right-arm pacer Pat Cummins has been rested from remainder of white-ball matches in a bid to keep him fresh for the Test series.

Warner suffered a groin strain in Australia’s 51-run win on Sunday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground and returned home to begin his rehab in the hope to be fit for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which begins December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.

The left-handed batsman scored half-centuries in both the ODIs and provided good start for Australia with 156 and 142-run opening partnerships with Australian captain Aaron Finch.

“Pat and Davie are critical to our plans for the Test series,” head coach Justin Langer was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“Davie will work through his injury rehab and in Pat’s case it is important all of our players are managed well to keep them mentally and physically fit throughout what is a challenging summer. The priority for both is being fully prepared for one of the biggest and most important home Test series we have played in recent years, especially with World Test Championship points up for grabs,” he added.

Right-handed Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne has stated that he would “love” open the innings in the final ODI against India if asked to in absence of David Warner.

Warner, who suffered from a groin injury during the second ODI on Sunday, has been ruled out of the remaining white-ball fixtures, which include Wednesday’s ODI and three T20Is.

“Certainly if I got asked to open the batting absolutely it’s an opportunity that I would enjoy doing. We’ll wait and see how our team shapes up for the next game and see the balance of the side, but yeah I would love doing it,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“My role at No.4 is just to read the situation of the game and play my role accordingly,” he added.

Australia, after posting 374 in the first ODI, came out with an even better batting performance on Sunday as they posted a mammoth 390-run target for the Men in Blue, which the visitors failed to chase down and fell short by 51 runs. Bumrah’s poor form and the missing sixth bowler has taken a toll on Indian management. Kohli’s leave is another concern for the test side. However, Australian side is full of uncertainties as well. Meanwhile, India need to shake things up in the 3rd and final ODI against Australia on Wednesday.