28 March,2015 08:03 AM IST | | IANS
Former fast bowler Javagal Srinath said yesterday that although the Indian pacers bowled brilliantly in the entire World Cup, they didn’t use the short-ball judiciously against Australia in the semi-final on Thursday.
Javagal Srinath
Sydney: Former fast bowler Javagal Srinath said yesterday that although the Indian pacers bowled brilliantly in the entire World Cup, they didn't use the short-ball judiciously against Australia in the semi-final on Thursday.
Javagal Srinath
"They have been largely impressive in this World Cup. Unlike their Australian counterparts, they didn't use the short-ball judiciously," Srinath wrote in a column for International Cricket Council (ICC).
The 39-year-old said that India's openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started off well but none of the top-order batsmen could post a big hundred. "India's openers responded brilliantly, they set a solid platform and blunted the new ball. But, unfortunately, none of the top-order batsmen could post a big hundred," he said."
Didn't capatalise
Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma had been looking so good before they were dismissed. In such a big chase, in such a big match, you need one of them to bat deep into the innings." The Indian bowling great heaped praise on Australian batsman Steve Smith for his consistent performance throughout the summer. "We needed someone to bat like Steve Smith," the former pacer said.
Srinath also said that this defeat at the hands of four-time world champions would be hard to digest after winning seven matches on the trot, but the Indians shouldn't lose hope. "It was a hard defeat to digest, coming as it was on the back of seven successive wins and comprehensive ones at that. But that's the nature of the game, not every day can you be at your very best. In the end, the better team got through."
