Ahead of Rajkot ODI, Michael Vaughan points out India’s ‘lack of power in the engine room’

India were brought down to earth in their opening match against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Prior to the ODI series, the Men in Blue were brimming with confidence after the 2-0 victory versus Sri Lanka. However, Aaron Finch’s Aussies came out firing on all cylinders and gave India a reality check. The hosts are needed to work out of their skins to make a comeback.

The second game at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot is a must-win affair for Team India. Australia are high on confidence as far as playing in India is concerned. The visitors have won four matches on the trot, including three that they won back in March 2019. As far as India are concerned, they have plenty of thinking to do. Michael Vaughan, the former England cricketer, has pointed out some shortcomings.

India’s jittery middle-order

The Englishman said that they don’t quite have the firepower in the middle-order. The same was pretty palpable in the first encounter. After Rohit Sharma fell prey to Pat Cummins, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul stitched together a partnership of 121 runs. The duo set the platform for a blistering finish. But the middle-order couldn’t carry on with the good work and India could manage only 255.

The likes of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja scored in the 20s, but none could convert them. The hosts lost their last nine wickets for 121 runs. The run-chase was a doddle for Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Aaron Finch. The duo put on 258 runs and took the visitors to a 10-wicket victory.

Vaughan is now looking forward to see India’s response with their backs pushed to the walls. The veteran reckons that India have under-achieved in the last couple of World Cups where they lost in the semi-finals.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “Interested to see how #India responds in the 2nd ODI.If they are honest they will accept the last 2 World Cups they have under achieved !!They lack power for me in the engine room,the middle order,they have 3 yrs to make sure they can keep up the tradition of the hosts winning !”

Here is Vaughan’s tweet

Interested to see how #India responds in the 2nd ODI.If they are honest they will accept the last 2 World Cups they have under achieved !!They lack power for me in the engine room,the middle order,they have 3 yrs to make sure they can keep up the tradition of the hosts winning !

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 17, 2020