India skipper Suryakumar Yadav stated on Friday that opener Abhishek Sharma should keep to his aggressive batting style after the visitors lost the second Twenty20 International against Australia by four wickets in Melbourne.
As the rest faltered and India was dismissed for a below-average 125 in 18.4 overs, the 25-year-old stood out as the lone performer in the top order, slamming a 37-ball 68. In just 13.2 overs, Australia overhauled the target.
“Abhishek has been doing this for quite some time now. He knows his game and his identity,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“He is not changing it anymore and hopefully he sticks to it and plays many more knocks like this for us.”
Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood (3/13) was commended by the Indian captain for his outstanding performance with the ball in restricting India to a low score.
“The way he (Hazlewood) bowled in the powerplay, if you’re four down in the powerplay it’s difficult to recover from that. Well bowled…” Asked what was the takeaway from the loss, he said, “I think we need to do what we did in the first game. Bat well when batting first and then come out and defend.”
Before rain ruined the first game in Canberra, India was batting brilliantly, reaching 97 for 1 in 9.4 overs.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh praised Hazlewood’s efforts with the ball.
“It was a good toss to win. Bit of moisture and Hoff (Hazlewood) is a great bowler when there’s something in it. Wanted to take a couple of wickets early.
“I think since the last World Cup we have tried to really build a squad of 25 players who can, if required, come to the World Cup and feel a part of the team and be connected to everyone.”
Regarding his 46 runs in T20ls surpassing 2000, Marsh stated, “I was a bit nervous but got going in the end. Head took the pressure off. Should be a good three games to come.”
Man of the match Hazlewood, who will miss the next three games, claimed that regardless of the format he was playing, the ball was coming out smoothly from him and that he is prepared to play in the Ashes starting on November 21.
“So just trying to put the ball in the right areas and see what happens. Everything feels in a good place and ready to go (for the Ashes).
“I think there’s no better place to learn than here. Nathan does his job every time, bowls some of the tough overs. So we’ll have a lot of quicks fighting for spots soon.
“Going to head home tomorrow. Still have time to prepare for the Shield Game and then head to Perth for the first Test.”
