Prominent changes India must make for second ODI vs Australia after crushing defeat in Perth

Changes India should make for 2nd ODI [Source: AFP Photo]

India vs Australia first ODI match in Perth was expected to be a fiery and even contest, but the match turned out to be a one-sided affair with the hosts dominating the proceedings to beat India convincingly. In a rain-marred game, the Indian batters failed to deliver the goods before the Aussie batters chased down 131 with utmost ease.

After a crushing defeat, the Indian side is expected to make some key changes, especially with the series on the line. Here are a couple of major changes the management should make to beat the Aussies and level the series.

1) Bring back Kuldeep Yadav for Washington Sundar

The Indian team made a huge blunder by dropping Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI in first ODI. He was India’s best bowler in the Asia Cup and the West Indies Tests, and yet, the management dropped India’s genuine wicket-taking threat. Moreover, he has an impeccable record against the Aussies in ODIs, and the numbers tell the story.

(Kuldeep Yadav vs AUS)

• The Indian wily spinner has a brilliant track record against the Aussies, and interestingly, the home side is brilliant against pacers, but they lack the game awareness against quality spin bowlers.
• Moreover, a quality left-arm chinaman is a rare commodity, and India should promote him above Washington Sundar, who doesn’t offer much in terms of bat and ball.
• Against Australia, he did manage to pick up a wicket in the first ODI, but he went at 7 runs per over as the off-break bowler was hardly threatening. Moreover, to beat the Aussies, India could do with a full-time spinner, rather than a part-time bowler.

2) Drop Harshit Rana, bring Prasidh

For some reason, India have decided to make Harshit Rana the only three-format bowler of the nation, but the obsession needs to end before the second ODI. He was picked ahead of Prasidh Krishna in the Perth ODI, and the bowler was taken to the cleaners by the Aussie batters as he let the game slip by.

(Rana vs AUS in 1st ODI)

• He was specifically targeted by the home side batters as his morale was taken down easily. The pacer was wayward with his lines and lengths and allowed the Australians to score free runs. Instead of him, India could perhaps go for Prasidh Krishna.

What Prasidh Krishna offers to India?

First and foremost, Krishna offers better control over line and lengths and has the ability to truly extract the pace and bounce from Australian pitches. His lanky build allows him to get that extra zip from the surface and this could cause trouble to the Aussie side as they were made to feel easy by Harshit Rana’s wayward bowling.

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