India vs Australia - "The Issue Is...": Zaheer Khan's Blunt Message To Indian Batters After 2nd ODI Debacle

20.03.2023 - 18:31 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian cricket team stands level 1-1 with Australia after the first two ODIs of the 3-match series. After the hosts emerged victorious in the first ODI, the tourists bounced back with an emphatic victory in the second game.

In the first match, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja led India's chase of 189 runs but in the second match, the team was all out for 117 while batting first.

As Indian batters struggle, former pacer Zaheer Khan admitted that the top-order has not given team the platform to build with the bat in both matches.

Even Indian bowlers struggled in the second ODI, with Australia chasing down the target of 118 runs without losing a single wicket.

cricket Australia Cricket Team 2023 Message Australia India

Hardik Pandya burst onto the Indian cricket scene after impactful performances for Mumbai Indians, as a youngster in 2015. Pandya is a multi-time IPL champion having won four titles with Mumbai and then went on to lead the Gujarat Titans to their maiden title in their debut season last year. The expectation to continue delivering will be high as the 29-year-old all-rounder takes the field as the defending champions. IPL experts discussed the mercurial all-rounder and his team's prospects, in an episode of Insiders Preview -- Hardik Pandya on JioCinema.

"When You Met Me...": Salman Khan's Message For Nikhat Zareen Breaks The Internet

Nikhat Zareen on Sunday became only the second Indian boxer to win more than one gold medals at the World Championships, emulating the legendary Mary Kom. Zareen had won the world title in 2022 in the 52 kg category, this time she won it in 50kg category. Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain made it a golden Sunday for India at the Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi. While Nikhat Zareen won the gold in the 50kg category, Lovlina Borgohain clinched the yellow metal in the 75kg category. Nikhat Zareen registered a 5-0 victory in the final bout against Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Tam to claim India's third gold in the tournament before Lovlina Borgohain won the summit clash against Australia's Caitlin Parker with a split 5-2 verdict. On Saturday, Indian pugilists Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg) had also won gold in their respective categories.

"When You Met Me...": Salman Khan's Message For Nikhat Zareen Breaks The Internet

"We Are In The Same Boat": Zaheer Khan Sends India Warning Over '2019 World Cup' Problem

Shreyas Iyer's injury and three back-to-back failures for Suryakumar Yadav in ODIs have once again put Team India in the same boat as in the 2019 ODI World Cup, feels former pacer Zaheer Khan. Leading to the mega event four years back, India were struggling to find a permanent batter at the number 4 position. It was one of the reasons that the team could not advance after the semi-final of the tournament. The 50-over World Cup will be taking place in India this time and Zaheer feels that the host team needs to relook at the number 4 batting position.

India vs Australia: "There Was No Planning" - Ex-India Star Slams Virat Kohli's Mode Of Dismissal In 3rd ODI

India conceded a rare series defeat at home as Australia turned the tide on the hosts to win the series-deciding third and final ODI in Chennai on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 270, India seemed to be in control of the proceedings when Virat Kohli slammed his 65th ODI half-century. However, Kohli played a loose shot off Ashton Agar's delivery and perished on 54. After his dismissal, India's innings crumbled as the hosts conceded the series. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif wasn't happy with Kohli's selection, saying that it lacked planning.

Watch: Strange Scenes At MA Chidambaram Stadium As Kites, Dog Stop India-Australia ODI In Chennai

The third ODI between India and Australia in Chennai was a closely fought one with the hosts being inflicted a rare series defeat at home. Batting first Australia notched 269 before dismissing India for 248. With the win, Australia have become the number 1 ranked side in the world. The match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was also witness to some strange scenes. Towards the end of the Australian innings, a dog entered the ground and stopped play much to the amusement of the Indian and Australian players.