Guwahati (TIP)- Dew was the primary reason for the Indian bowling attack’s poor show in the third T20I, in which the hosts failed to defend an imposing total of 222, vice-captain and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad said. The Indian bowlers gave away 80 runs in the last five overs while defending 222 as Glenn Maxwell’s 48-ball 104 not out, including 23 runs off the final over from Prasidh Krishna, saw Australia win by five wickets and make it 1-2 in their five-match series.
For the record, Krishna’s 0/68 in four overs is the worst T20I number by any Indian bowler.
“I don’t think so it’s a concern because it’s almost like you are bowling with a wet ball. And it’s really tough on them,” Gaikwad told reporters during the post-match press conference.
“In these kinds of conditions, 12 runs per over or even 13 or 14 runs per over is gettable, even while we are chasing. In the first game, how easily we managed to chase 210,” he cited an example. “So, definitely there’s not a concern at all. It’s just that the conditions are slightly tougher for them, and we have to accept and move on.”
Gaikwad said Maxwell’s brutal innings and heavy dew proved to be home team’s undoing.
Making his 100th T20I appearance, Maxwell starred as Australia massed 45 runs in the last two overs to seal a last-ball thriller.
“I think even Maxi batted really well. To win from a situation where they needed 100 from seven, I think it was critical innings for him,” Gaikwad said. “Our bowlers tried executing whatever they had in their control. Also, there was a lot of dew around so ball was slipping a lot. So I think it was tough for the bowlers as well.”
India need young bowlers to deliver
Raipur: India’s young bowling unit will look to better its death overs performance while utilising Glenn Maxwell’s absence to its advantage in the fourth T20I of their five-match series on December 1.
India’s second-string bowling attack crumbled in the last two overs in the third T20I as the bowlers failed to defend 40-plus runs.
There is a possibility of a minor tweak in the Indian line-up after Prasidh Krishna gave away 68 runs in four overs, including 21 in the final over.
Deepak Chahar is back in the mix and his ability to move the new ball could see him start along with death overs specialist Mukesh Kumar, who is back after a one-match break.
Both Prasidh and Avesh Khan lack variety and innovation as they keep pitching the ball at the same length. They consistently pitch it back of the length and the nature of the Indian tracks makes it too easy for batters to put it away.
Also not being able to use variations like conventional or wide yorkers has been their undoing as they didn’t execute slower deliveries properly.
The 23-year-old leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been the pick of the bowlers, having grabbed six wickets at an average of 19.66.
Bishnoi credited skipper Suryakumar Yadav for giving the bowlers a “free hand”.
“As a captain, Surya bhai gives you a free hand, he gives you all the right to place the fielders, the length that you want to bowl but you have to deliver in your execution,” said Bishnoi. “He has been doing great captaincy in last 2-3 matches.”