Virat Kohli's decision to drop himself down the batting order didn’t go well for India in the first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday (January 14).
In order to accommodate both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul in the playing XI, the Indian captain demoted himself down to No. 4 position.
Read Also: Matthew Hayden slams Virat Kohli’s decision to bat at no.4 in Mumbai ODI
While Dhawan (74 off 91 balls) and Rahul (47 off 61 balls) played handy knocks, Kohli scored 14-ball 16 as the hosts coped a humiliating 10-wicket defeat after posting 255 all-out on the board.
After the match, Virat said he might have to "rethink" his plans going into the must-win second ODI in Rajkot.
"(On batting at 4) We've had this discussion many times in the past as well. Because of the way KL (Rahul) has been batting, we have tried to fit him in the batting line-up. But I don't think it's gone quite our way whenever I batted at four so probably will have to rethink about that one," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"It's about giving some guys opportunities. Every now and then, it's about putting people up there and testing them. People need to relax and not panic with one game. I am allowed to experiment a little bit and fail at times. Today was one of the days it didn't come off," he added.
Opting to bowl first, Australia exposed the home team’s middle-order. The visitors bundled out India in 49.1 overs with Mitchell Starc (3/56), Pat Cummins (2/44) and Kane Richardson (2/43) doing the bulk of the damage.
In reply, Australia overhauled the target in 37.4 overs on the back of David Warner (128* off 112 balls) and Aaron Finch’s (110* off 114 balls) unbeaten centuries.
"We were totally outplayed in all three departments. It's a very strong Australian team and if you don't play well enough they will hurt you and we saw that. With bat in hand I don't think we had enough intent to go out there and takes risks, get those extra runs and put the bowlers under pressure.
"I think in phases we were too respectful of the bowlers. We didn't take the game by the scruff of its neck. Having said that it's another challenge for us to bounce back from here but today total credit has to go to Australia for the way they played," Kohli remarked.
India skipper said that the ongoing three-match ODI series is an opportunity for youngsters to make a mark ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.
"International cricket is always priceless. Experience in any format helps you in other formats. You perform in any format you gain confidence for the other one. So it's an opportunity for the younger lot in the middle-order to step up against world-class bowlers and make a mark.
"They have got two more opportunities so hopefully someone stands up and plays a blinder," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
