'We Certainly Haven't Done That': Steve Smith's Honest Confession After Losing ODI Series To India

Since the rain played spoilsport in the second ODI, the Indian team won the game by DLS method at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Steve Smith in action.

Source : Getty

After Australia’s 99-run defeat to India in the second ODI, skipper Steve Smith said that his team needs to improve on a few things. The Men in Blue outclassed the Kangaroos with both bat and bowl in the first two ODIs and clinched the three-match series 2-0. Since the rain played spoilsport in the second ODI, the Indian team won the game by DLS method at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Talking about the second game, India was asked to bat first and their batters built a solid 200-run stand for the second wicket with Shubman Gill (104 in 97 balls, six fours, and four sixes) and Shreyas Iyer (105 in 90 balls, 11 fours, and three sixes) put up the foundation for a massive total. Skipper KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century powered India to 399/5 in 50 overs.

"When we came here it looked a good wicket, changed a little bit. Credit to India, they batted beautifully...400 was always a big challenge on that. I have seen games here before and it's looked good for chasing. We were a fair way off. We have lost quite a few in a row now...World Cups are about peaking at the right time, we certainly haven't done that at this stage. A few things to sort out. We know we are a good side. Both teams are working towards the World Cup but still want to win games," said Smith in a post-match presentation.

For Australia, Cameroon Green gave away 103 runs and scaled two wickets while Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, and Adam Zampa took a wicket each. Because of rain, Australia was given a revised total of 317 in 33 overs and apart from David Warner and Abbott, no other batters could capitalise. Warner ended up making 53 in 39 balls while Abbott played a knock of 54 in 36 balls.

Ravichandran Ashwin was the star with the ball for India after he registered the figures of 3/41, while his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja ended the game with 3/42.