Before India took off for Australia, the common perception was the this was the best chance for MS Dhoni & Co to beat Australia. After all, the world champions were without their two Mitch – Johnson and Starc – and had picked rookie pacers for the series. Why, Rohit Sharma did not even shy away from saying that they will fight fire with fire. However, the fire seems to have failed to ignite as a listless India are yet to tasted victory, down 0-4 in the ODI series. A few positives aside, there have been concerns aplenty for the visitors' series defeat. With only the inconsequential fifth ODI to be played on Sunday, Taus Riavi chalks down the reasons for India's surrender Down Under.
Top order's gear issues
India's top order, especially Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have been in top form. Both Sharma and Kohli have smashed back-to-back centuries in the first two and previous two ODIs, respectively. However, coaches often teach budding players to finish the job once you're set. Sharma did that with an unbeaten 171 in Perth, but that was that. In the first three games, India ended up being well short of a 330-340 score, mostly due to the top order batsmen's lack of positivity between overs 30 and 40. With the new rules allowing an extra fielder outside the circle in the final 10 overs, the middle overs period requires batsmen to hit fifth gear a tad early, and the Sharmas and Kohlis failed in that. While chasing in Canberra, Dhawan, who found form again, and Kohli should have seen India through, just like Steve Smith, George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell did for Australia in their chases.
Lack of quality finisher
Dhoni was known as the best finisher in this format of the game. Not anymore. The touch has disappeared and his trademark helicopter shots have gone missing in the slog overs. In the past, if Dhoni failed, there were players like Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina who could do the job. But both are not part of the ODI squad, and a lack of finisher is hurting India badly. It will be unfair to blame newcomers Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Rishi Dhawan for their failures in Canberra, but one can definitely question Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni calls him an all-rounder, but he has done nothing with the bat lately to justify that tag. Surely, he can't be India's finisher.
Dhoni's world of flip-flops
Just like he did with Abhishek Nayar in 2009, skipper Dhoni cited ignorance about the role of Rishi in the team when he said India doesn't have a seaming all-rounder. Either Dhoni doesn't know his players well enough, or he didn't trust Rishi to play that role. Then did Dhoni, who was part of the selection meeting, pick Rishi in the first place? And why did he then play him in the third ODI? The skipper also surprised one and all when he said his pace bowling attack was inexperienced. For the record, Ishant Sharma has played 79 ODIs and Umesh Yadav 56. Probably, Dhoni ran out of excuses.
Pacers' perennial problems
Numbers say Ishant (seven) and Yadav (six) are the leading wicket-takers in the series so far. If only numbers could win matches. Having played international cricket for quite a while now, both the pacers have been at their inconsistent best. They've bowled short, wide and have been unable to bowl six balls on one side of the wicket. Forget creating pressure, the two have been milked by the Aussies.
Ashwin's astonishing axe
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was supposed to be the team's strike bowler after a stellar home series against South Africa. Two matches on, he found himself warming the benches. His exclusion from the last two ODIs has been a bit baffling, considering that he has been one of India's best bowlers over the last one year. He didn't have the happiest of outings alright, but if the management can give a long rope to the likes of Dhawan and Jadeja, why not Ashwin?
Over-dependance on Jaddu
Granted, Jadeja has the ability to choke batsmen with his tight line, which is very important in modern ODI cricket. He may also have the much-needed experience with the bat in the absence of Raina, but falling back upon Jadeja all the time is a worrying sign. It's hard to say what is his role in the team: a bowler who can bat or a batsman who can bowl? Dhoni likes these bits-and-pieces players, but maybe it's time he looks at giving Axar Patel that role.
Individual brilliance, no team work
The Indians have relied too much on individual brilliance. On the other hand, one may not find an Aussie topping the charts of highest scorers or wicket-takers in this series, but they've got the job done. At various times, each of the players has contributed towards the victory. This team effort was missing from the Indians, and thus, despite five brilliant centuries, India find themselves down 0-4.
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