IND vs AUS 2023: The top-order failing is becoming a headache for India – Saba Karim

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim reckons top-order failure is becoming a headache for India. While chasing a sub-par score of 188, India was reduced to 39-4 in the first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Shubman Gill scored 20 runs whereas Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav could not even reach the double-digit mark. However, it was KL Rahul’s 75 and Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 45, which helped India chase down the score.

But it has been noticed in the recent past that India’s top and the middle order has failed to deliver the goods for the team. Mitchell Starc troubled the Indian batters as he got the ball to swing and the home team could not show any resistance.

Saba Karim said on India News, “One way of looking at it is that India won a tough game against a top-quality bowling attack. Whether the lower-order bailed you out or the top-order fired, in the larger interest, winning was important as it’s not easy to beat any quality opponent. But yes, the top-order failing is becoming a headache for India across formats and we aren’t getting to see the consistency that we expect from them. I am sure Rohit and Dravid will discuss this going forward.”

In fact, India’s right-handers have had a perennial problem while facing the left-arm seamers when the ball moves back into them from over the wicket angle. Both Kohli and SKY were plumbed in front by Starc at Mumbai. Karim advised the Indian batters to open their stance against left-arm pacers in order to negate this issue.

He added, “It is very difficult to read a left-arm pacer who can generate late swing and seam movement. You need to be very watchful and that’s where I think India can work. They already have a left-arm side thrower in the practice sessions so its not that they aren’t prepared for it. It’s all about little things like opening up your stance to avoid getting LBW with late seam movement.”

After winning the first ODI by five wickets, India’s top and middle order woes continued as they were skittled out for a meager score of 117 runs, with Mitchell Starc taking five wickets. Australia went on win comprehensively by 10 wickets to level the series.

The third ODI will be played in Chennai on Wednesday.