What went wrong for India in the ODI v Australia?

India enter the 3rd ODI with their ego bruised, and their reputation torn to smithereens by Steve Smith & co. Having bagged the series, the Aussies would like to win the last ODI again, and take the psychological lead ahead of the T-20 matches. This betting preview will help you understand the basic flaws in the Indian squad. R

First, the basics

India are no longer the same team that they were pre-2019. To use a metaphor, the Indian juggernaut that started rolling from 2017 Champions Trophy onward has been halted in its tracks by the Aussies. Post CT, India made a few changes in batting and bowling. Between 2017 and end-2019, the Indian bowling side was third best. In economy and strike rates, India was just next to Afghanistan and the Kiwis respectively.

A slide downhill

• Australia to win: 4/9 or 1.44
• India to win: 4/1 or 5.00

In 2020, the Indian bowling side slid down to the bottom of the table. India had the worst averages in this format in 2020. With 58.88, the Indians were behind Zimbabwe (50.58), and New Zealand ( 43,70). Again, India had the worst economy rates at 6.88, versus Zimbabwe at 6.17, and New Zealand at 5.72. Talk about worst strike rates and India had 54.5, while Zimbabwe and New Zealand had 49.1 and 45.8 respectively.

What’s worse is that the top 5 bowlers have taken just 32 wickets in all the 304 overs they bowled in 2020! That makes a run leakage (per bowler) of 6.27. The story doesn’t end here. India’s top 5 bowlers gave away 59.47 runs per wicket, and could get a wicket only after 57 balls i.e. approximately 10 overs. The Aussies would surely smack their lips at reading these stats!

Bumrah gone bust?

Bumrah is no longer the prize fighter that he was a year ago. Pre-2020, he scored 103 wickets off 58 matches. The strike rate was 29.2, while the average was 21.88, economy -4.40. It was a changed Bumrah that played 8 matches in 2020. Average skyrocketed to 146.33, and strike rate plummeted to 152. Economy was a little over 5.00. As a lead bowler, Bumrah hasn’t redeemed his reputation yet. And there lies the rub; India’s bowlers are floundering Down Under.

In all the 66 matches that he has played, Bumrah has conceded 60 runs plus only in 10 One Day Matches. In all these 10 matches, the opposition has managed to score 320 runs and more. And in five of these games, India has let the opposition score 350 and more. Clearly, the stats are pointing out Bumrah’s BIG ROLE in India’s fortunes. So, here is a big opportunity for punters; how many wickets would Bumrah get in this ODI? And at what rate?

The solution? Lots of ifs!

India have been missing Bhuvneshwar Pujara in this series. A year before, Bhuvi played in 10 matches and snapped up 10 Powerplay wickets. His average was a very respectable 4.29 per over. Shami can bag a few Powerplay wickets, but so far his average is 6.29 per over. Then there are Shardul and Saini, who have given away 6.90 and 6.31 runs an over. Finally, with the Kuldeep Yadav-Yuzvendra Chahal duo not firing on their cylinders, India surely have their backs to the wall in the 3rd ODI. A lot depends upon the bowlers in this game.