Australia vs India, 2019 ODI series – Hits and Misses

After the historic Test series win, India were expected to dominate the ODI series as well. They have done well in white-ball cricket over the last couple of years and that has coincided with Australia’s struggle in the 50-overs format. The Aussies have failed to win a bilateral ODI series since January 2017. However, the series turned out to be a pretty close affair and the Virat Kohli-led side emerged victorious despite being 0-1 down after the first game.

There were plenty of good performances as some players put their hands up to bail the team out of trouble and produce match-winning shows. However, there were also a few players who were under-par and didn’t have a great series by any stretch of the imagination. Thus, we take a look at some of the hits and misses from this Australia-India three-match ODI series.

Here are the Hits and Misses for the series:

Hit: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India went into this ODI series without their spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as he was given a break after a hectic Test series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also a part of the Test side but didn’t feature in a single game. He didn’t have a great 2018 as well as he wasn’t 100% fit all the time due to frequent injuries. Thus, this was a big series for the Meerut pacer and he was brilliant throughout the series. With the new ball, he was simply outstanding.

In the three games, his figures with the new ball read: 1/11 in 4 overs (at the SCG), 1/9 in 5 overs (at the Adelaide Oval) and 2/15 in 5 overs (at the MCG). He hardly gave anything away and in every game, he ensured that India had a good start with the ball. Even at the death, he was a dependable option. Barring the first game where he was taken for runs, he executed his plans well at the death and was very effective. Hence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a big hit for the ‘Men in Blue’.

 Miss: Aaron Finch

The Australian skipper had a poor series. He could muster a mere 26 runs at a poor average of 8.67 which is the second worst in any series in his career. He just couldn’t see off the new ball. His shortcoming against the incoming deliveries was exploited by the Indian new ball bowlers, especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The 28-year-old right-arm pacer dismissed Finch in all three innings and in a very similar fashion. The Aussie ODI skipper was knocked over in the first two ODIs before getting out LBW in the final game. Finch even tweaked his style a touch as well to counter the movement early on by standing outside the crease but nothing worked as Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept exploiting that weakness against the incoming deliveries.

Thus, it was a real struggle for Finch in this series and he will hope to find some form leading up to the series in India as he gets back to play in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Hit: MS Dhoni

2018 was one of the worst years for MS Dhoni. He could manage only 275 runs at an average of 25 and a strike-rate of just over 70. Hence, there were question marks over his place in the side. However, he’s responded back in style as he struck a half-century in every game of the series.

After India were reduced to 4/3 in the first game, he rebuilt the innings alongside Rohit Sharma and scored 51 off 96 balls before he was wrongly adjudged LBW. In the next two games, he made match-winning contributions of 55 and 87 in Adelaide and Sydney. Moreover, he finished both games unbeaten taking India over the line. He was awarded the Man of the Series for his vital contributions throughout the series.

Thus, it was an important series for the former Indian skipper and he seems to be in a good space leading up to the World Cup.

Miss: Ambati Rayudu

After an excellent ODI series against the Windies at home, Ambati Rayudu was touted as India’s No. 4 for the World Cup. However, he was caught napping against some quality pace bowling. He could manage only 24 runs in two innings before he was dropped for the third ODI.

When he took the field in the first ODI, it was his first competitive game in over two months. He was out for a first-ball duck off Jhye Richardson who trapped him in front with an in-dipper. In the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, he struggled during his 36-ball stay at the crease. He scored 24 but didn’t look convincing at all. He tried to break the shackles but eventually holed out at the deep mid-wicket fence.

Thus, this series now puts a doubt on Rayudu’s future. With Kedar Jadhav doing well and youngsters like Shubman Gill waiting in the wings, time might be running out for Rayudu.

Hit: Jhye Richardson

The 22-year-old Western Australian pacer was Australia’s lead fast bowler in this series. In the absence of some the star fast bowlers, he stepped up really well. He bowled with great intensity and with some great pace as well. He moved the ball early on as he had the Indian top-order in trouble on multiple occasions. In the first game, he took 4/26 and won the Player of the Match as Australia took a series-lead.

In the third game at the MCG, he took just one wicket but he was a big threat and the Indian batsmen were wary of that and played him out. Jhye Richardson constantly troubled the Indian batsmen. In fact, he dismissed the Indian skipper Virat Kohli in every game of the series. He finished the series with 6 wickets at an average of 18.66, a strike-rate of 30 and an economy of 3.73.

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