Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja Shine as India Disappoint in Australia ODIs
Kuldeep Yadav – 6/10
Inns: 1, Overs: 10, Runs: 57, Econ: 5.7, Wickets: 1
The left arm spinner had been woefully out of form before the Australia series and wasn’t expected to feature. Chahal’s poor form saw him drafted in for the final ODI where he bowled with control.
Kuldeep’s efforts were rewarded with the wicket of Cameron Green just as Australia were looking to turn it around. It would have done his confidence a world of good for sure and could just be the catalyst to turn things around.
Kuldeep and Chahal have often formed a pair that has terrorised batsmen and returning to similar form will give India a happy selection headache.
T Natarajan – 6/10
Inns: 1, Overs: 10, Runs: 70, Econ: 7, Wickets: 2
For the left arm pacer, it has been quite the story. From the TNPL to the IPL to the India squad, Natarajan has stuck to his strengths and shown great character in tough times.
On his debut in Canberra too, he repaid the faith shown in him with some good bowling early on and in the death. He removed Marnus Labuschagne to peg back the hosts and then dismissed Ashton Agar to help India over the line.
Natarajan’s ability to come back and take Agar’s wicket after being thrashed by Glenn Maxwell earned him high praise from teammates and experts.
Shardul Thakur – 7/10
Inns: 1, Overs: 10, Runs: 51, Econ: 5.1, Wickets: 3
In and out of the India XI, Shardul responded to his captain’s call with aplomb in Canberra. Defending 303 against a team that almost touched 400 in the first two games, Shardul’s biggest contribution was removing Steve Smith for 7. He added the scalp of Moises Henriques soon after to set India on their way to a win.
The pacer came back to clean up Sean Abbott in his final spell, which is probably his last act on the tour unless he is asked to stay back for the T20Is and Tests.
