Weather Effect on the Match
- Indian cricket fans were disheartened as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn't deliver in the recent ODI match. The two players, who came on to the field with great expectations, could not score a double-digit score. Team India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stated that their performance was marred by the weather conditions.
- Kotak has stated that one has no cause to be concerned with their form after a single match. He has added that both the players are experienced and that their build-up to the series was good. He further dismissed the claims that the players had been out of action in limited-overs cricket for long.
- Kotak explained that Kohli and Rohit were busy in the IPL following the Champions Trophy and had also practiced well ahead of the series. He further stated that the first ODI witnessed multiple interruptions due to rain, which made it difficult for the players to remain concentrated.
- He added that even if Australia had decided to bat first, they would have encountered the same conditions. The stoppages in play during the match disrupted the rhythm of the game. Kotak pointed out that both players are physically fit, in good rhythm, and highly practiced, and he was confident that they would fare better in the second ODI.
Pitch Conditions Also Played a Role
- Ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri also had his say. He averred that both Kohli and Rohit were coming back to international cricket after a span of seven months, while the Perth wicket was in favor of the bowlers.
- Shastri continued that the rain and the toss were in Australia's advantage as they made it hard for Indian batsmen to settle. He added that playing in Australia always comes with a challenge because of the extra bounce and climate.
- Shastri further added that it takes time to get used to the Perth pitch and that bowling against good bowlers under such conditions is never an easy affair. He hoped the scenario would be different in Adelaide, where batting conditions could be more conducive.
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