Indian players in action in first T20I against Australia
Rohit Sharma and co. failed to defend 208 against Australia in a high-scoring T20I at Mohali. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ for his 30-ball 61 in the exhilarating run-chase.
Notably, Green was trapped in front of stumps by India’s enigma machine Yuzvendra Chahal in the fifth over of the innings itself. However, neither Chahal nor wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik decided to take the review, thus allowing the Australian to capitalise on his good start.
Ravi Shastri stresses proper use of DRS, spotlights MS Dhoni’s role
After the match, cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri said that he was surprised to see Indians not going for the review against Green. The former Indian coach believes that captain Rohit Sharma missed the trick and highlighted the importance of proper usage of DRS in international matches.
“Hitting? It was nice and clean. Surprising because he had gone across. Just wondering if he thought it was the height or the ball had struck outside the line.”
Shastri also praised former skipper MS Dhoni for his accurate calls on the system during his playing days. He said:
“Such an important role, the keepers. This is where MS was so good.”
The ‘Men in Blue’ will now face Australia in the second T20I of their three-match series on September 23 at Nagpur. India’s subsequent assignment features two white-ball series against South Africa to cap their set of fixtures before departing for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
 "Aakash Saini")
