India Looking To Avoid 3-0 Loss, Shbman Gill Laments Fielding Lapses

ADELAIDE – India’s hopes of salvaging the ODI series against Australia took a hit after a narrow two-wicket defeat at the Adelaide Oval, leaving the visitors trailing 2-0 in the three-match series. India captain Shubman Gill lamented missed opportunities in the field, particularly the dropped chances that proved costly while defending 264.

“Catches being shelled never help your cause. We had just enough runs on the board, but dropping a couple of chances makes it very difficult to defend that kind of total,” said Gill. Travis Head was let off early, while Matt Short, who eventually scored 74, was dropped twice, a lapse that India felt sharply.

Gill also reflected on the role of the toss in the rain-affected first ODI. “In the first game, the toss was more crucial because of the rain. But in this match, both teams played almost the full 50 overs, and the wicket settled nicely after 15-20 overs,” he added. He praised Rohit Sharma’s 73 off 97 balls, calling it a gritty performance after a long break from competitive cricket, though he noted that Rohit “missed out on a really big knock.”

India will aim to avoid a clean sweep when they face Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. With just a day’s gap, there is little time to regroup. The team’s top-order offered some resistance through Sharma and Shreyas Iyer’s 61, but Virat Kohli’s consecutive ducks have raised concerns over his form.

Both veterans could be playing their final ODI on Australian soil, and India will hope for a strong finish from its batting stalwarts. With an unchanged eleven in the first two games, India may consider adjustments for Sydney. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna could inject fresh energy into a side missing the all-round contributions of Hardik Pandya.

The top-ranked ODI side has now lost consecutive matches after an eight-game winning streak, and Gill faces the challenge of shaping his preferred lineup while seeking consistent performances. India’s last ODI victory at the SCG came in 2016, and Australia has claimed the last three encounters at the venue.

Australia, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the return of wicketkeeper Josh Inglis from a calf strain. Marnus Labuschagne has exited to join Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, while Matthew Kuhnemann and Jack Edwards have been added to the squad for the final match. (IANS)