India made a good start in the first ODI against Australia played at the WACA stadium in Perth. Rohit Sharma's superb knock of 171 runs in 163 balls, Virat Kohli's significant score of 91 runs helped India reach 309 in 50 overs.
However, Rohit Sharma's 171 went in vain against Australian duo Bailey-Smith's partnership of 242 runs. Australian captain's brilliant knock of 149 runs and George Bailey's 112 runs resulted into brilliant partnership at 3rd wicket. India's listless bowling attack did not help when wickets were most needed. Australia comfortably reached the score of 310 with 4 balls and 5 wickets to spare.
Rohit Sharma's stupendous 171 not out score raised quite some expectations at the end of the first innings but here are the top five reasons why India lost their first game against the world champions in Perth.
309 total wasn't enough
The pitch at WACA in Perth is batter's paradise. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and George Bailey's stupendous scores proved that. However, Dhoni's men fell short of 30-40 runs, feel experts. Australians would have had to work hard to achieve the target of 340-350 runs. 309 total was good but not enough to send jitters to chasing team.
George Bailey's dismissal on the first ball
George Bailey was caught behind the stumps by captain cum wicketkeeper MS Dhoni on the very first ball he faced from Barinder Sran. While Dhoni looked confident, Sran did not appeal. This reprieve for Bailey cost India a lot as Bailey went on to score 112 runs and formed a great partnership with captain Steve Smith.
Could DRS system have favoured India?
Sran lives upto expectations but other bowlers were disappointing
It was Barinder Sran's international debut and the young lad claimed impressive 3 wickets. However, the other bowlers were a huge disappointment to the team. Pacers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav failed to create any pressure when the Smith-Bailey partnership was blossoming on the ground.
On the other hand, the experienced spinners too let India down. R Ashwin's first spell turned out to be too generous for Australians inspite of him claiming two wickets. His deputy and spinner Ravindra Jadeja, however turned out to be very disappointing. Without taking any wickets, Jadeja proved to be expensive as he gave away 61 runs. Dhoni was left looking for alternatives and he even had to hand over the ball to Virat Kohli for a couple of overs.
Unstoppable partnership of Smith and Bailey
Australia made an average start but the partnership between Smith and Bailey just got stronger as the match proceeded.
The duo scored 100 runs off 107 balls and added another ton to their partnership when they crossed 200 runs in just 197 balls. Their partnership is the number one reason for their victory, which India failed to counter.
Australia had already crossed the 250 runs mark in the 41st over.
George Bailey scored 112 runs and Steve Smith played a captain's innings of 149 runs before being caught by Virat Kohli.
India's poor fielding
In the last few overs, Australia gathered many runs in singles. Indian fielders were unable to stop this. The in-fielders Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane's throws missed the stumps several times.
