Didn’t think the pitch would spin so much: KL Rahul after India win Indore ODI. Courtesy: AP

KL Rahul was delighted after India handed Australia a crushing defeat in Indore to seal the fate of the three-match ODI series.

KL Rahul on India’s resounding win in Indore ODI vs Australia: Didn’t think the pitch would spin so much

In Short

  • KL Rahul was surprised with the amount of turn from the pitch in the Indore ODI
  • India beat Australia by 99 runs (DLS) at Holkar Stadium
  • The third ODI will take place on September 27

Stand-in Indian skipper KL Rahul was surprised after the pitch at the Holkar Stadium in Indore provided spinners a lot of assistance. On Sunday, September 24, India beat Australia by 99 runs (DLS) to claim the three-match ODI series 2-0.

After setting the Aussies a mammoth target of 400 to chase down, India bowled their opposition out for 217 in 28.2 overs. Prasidh Krishna gave India the early breakthrough, after which Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja picked up wickets at regular intervals.

“When I saw the wicket, didn’t think it would spin that much. 400 on the board also gives you confidence,” Rahul said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rahul also had a decent outing as he scored a quick-fire half-century. Rahul, who recently made a comeback following an injury layoff, notched an unbeaten fifty at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and backed it up with another handy knock.

“[Selection] is the headache of the coach and Rohit…whoever gets picked has a job to do. Sitting out can be hard after scoring a lot of runs but everyone has been through that,” he stated.

Rahul also spoke about the few dropped chances at the end of the Australian innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shardul Thakur gave Josh Hazlewood two lifelines, although they didn’t cost India.

“I know we dropped a couple of catches, but when you are travelling every second day and playing at a different ground is getting used to the lights. A lot of guys have been playing for a long time… we are trying to manage bodies and fielding is directly related to how fresh you are,” Rahul added.

The third and final ODI is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 27 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.