Follow UsAustralia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith asserted that World Cups are always about ‘peaking at the right time’ and admitted that Australia have been guilty of not doing the same at this point in time. Less than a month ago the Kangaroos were in dream land, having snatched the Number One ranking after going 2-0 up against South Africa, but the Men in Yellow have since lost five consecutive matches.
On the day, many expected a strong response from the Aussies after a comprehensive defeat in the first ODI but at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, the visitors were hammered by a ruthless Indian team.
An honest Smith admitted that his side still have ‘issues that need to be sorted’ with the World Cup less than two weeks away.
“We've lost quite a few in a row now..World Cups are about peaking at the right time, we certainly haven't done that at this stage,” Smith, who captained the side on Sunday in Cummins’ absence, said at the post-match presentation.
“A few things to sort out. We know we are a good side. Both teams are working towards the World Cup but still want to win games.”
Unlike the first ODI, Australia were on the right side of the coin toss on Sunday but in the end, it turned out to be a good toss to lose for India, who posted 399 batting first, on the back of tons from Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. Chasing 400 was never going to be easy but the task became a monumental one for Australia as the ball started to turn sharply in the second innings, due to which both Ashwin and Jadeja feasted.
Smith admitted that the wicket ‘changed’ and Australia were undone by their own decision to chase.
"When we came here it looked like a good wicket, but it changed a little bit. Credit to India, they batted beautifully. 400 was always a big challenge on that.
"I've seen games here before and it has (historically) looked good for chasing. We were a fair way off.”
India, across the first two ODIs, rested four key players (Kohli, Rohit, Kuldeep and Pandya) but will be full strength for the third ODI in Rajkot. When asked if Australia would also be full strength for the Rajkot clash, Smith said he was still unsure of the players’ availability.
For the Indore clash, Australia were without Cummins, Mitchell Marsh (both rested), Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell (both recovering) and Ashton Agar (away on personal leave).
The third and final ODI of the series will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday, September 27th.
Australia will then have warm-up games against Netherlands and Pakistan before facing India in both teams’ respective first game of the 2023 World Cup in Chennai, on October 8th.