MS Dhoni reveals India's plan to tackle Australia in third ODI
The Indian national cricket team was comprehensively beaten by the Aussies in the first two ODI’s in Perth and Brisbane. These back-to-back defeats have forced India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to rethink his strategy of opting to bat first. Australia have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series by chasing down 300-plus targets.
In the post match press conference on January 15, Dhoni said, "I feel even if we cut down the extras we will have to score more runs.” Dhoni won the toss in both matches and India posted scores of 309 and 308 respectively. But the hosts reeled them in with powerful displays at the crease.
There was also a suggestion of a lack of discipline about India's bowlers. Indian bowling attack leaked 23 wides in the two matches. The Indian pacers are finding it difficult to adapt to the bouncy tracks of Australia. And spinners are not getting as much assistance from the pitch what they usually get in sub-continent.
Ahead of the third ODI on January 17, the Indian captain wondered if chasing a target was a better option for India. Especially given, his and Vice-captain Virat Kohli’s excellent reputation while chasing a target.
Either we have to score 330, or chase down the score: Dhoni
He also confirmed that the team management is looking forward to chase. The 34 year-old said, “There are two options: either put pressure on the batsmen and score 330, or chase down the score, give them the batting first. We will have a look and decide what suits us the best.”
Rohit Sharma burnished his reputation in limited-overs cricket with a second successive century in Brisbane. Yesterday, Sharma continued his form from where he left at Perth and went on to play a superb knock of 124. The Indian skipper Dhoni said he was seeking even more his batsmen.
He added, "As a team we have to win, irrespective of which department is not doing well, and for that we have to score 20-30 more runs. That will put a lot of pressure on the batsmen, because the moment you take your guard right from the first ball, on the back of your mind would be 'we have to get 330-340 odd runs to be on the safer side' and that would put a lot of pressure.”