5 reasons why India lost the 3rd ODI

India lost the plot completely after being in a commanding position most of the timeAfter pulling off an improbable victory from the jaws of defeat in the 2nd ODI, the Men In Blue found interesting ways to be on the backfoot in the 3rd ODI, even after being in a commanding position most of the time. However, the fluctuating series got even more exciting, with South Africa taking a 2-1 lead in the series.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Proteas got a really good start, thanks to the fantastic century of Quinton de Kock. However, Indian spinners Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra kept things tight in the middle, with Akshar Patel claiming the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma chipped in with some quality death bowling as they restricted South Africa to a modest total of 270 on a flat Rajkot pitch.However, even after getting a good start to the chase, India lost the plot completely in the middle and found themselves short of 18 runs, as South Africa snatched their 2nd triumph in the 5 match ODI series.Let’s have a look at the 5 reasons why India failed in the chase:

#1 The pitch got slower

Kohli struggled to get going on the slow Rajkot pitch

This was the reason that Dhoni mentioned in the post match presentation as he said that he and Virat found it very difficult to play the big shots, as the wicket got slower and slower as the game progressed. Although everyone expected it to get better under the lights, the ball stopped after bouncing and did not come on to the bat easily. Both Dhoni and Kohli struggled to find timing in their shots.

#2 Change in power-play rules

Miller took the crucial catches of Kohli, Raina and Rahane

As per the new rules, five fielders are allowed outside the ring after 40 overs and it made things much easier for the Proteas’ skipper. De Villiers deployed five men to patrol the leg-side fence and it gave the South African bowlers the liberty to bowl on the leg-side without allowing the batsmen to free their arms.

Indian middle order batsmen found it extremely difficult to score boundaries at will as the deep mid-wicket fielder made a lot of difference by cutting the boundaries and taking crucial catches. David Miller’s exceptional fielding aggravated India’s miseries.

Despite having a mind-blowing record while chasing, it seems like the Indians haven’t yet adjusted to this rule change, as nowadays a target close to 300 is a nightmare for Dhoni’s men.

#3 South African bowlers executed their plans well

Morkel’s fine form continued in the 3rd ODI

Yes, it had been an absolutely brilliant bowling performance by the Proteas, with Morne Morkel being the pick of the bowlers. He didn’t bowl much short nor full to Dhoni, but stuck on with his bodyline tactics, knowing the sluggish nature of the pitch. Not just Dhoni, even Kohli found it hard to cope with the accuracy in the line and length as eventually both succumbed to the lanky pacer.

Morkel took 4 wickets for just 39 runs, other bowlers supporting well, by maintaining the pressure on Indian batsmen, without bowling many loose deliveries like full tosses and half-volleys. JP Duminy and Kagiso Rabada played key roles with the ball, with Duminy taking the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma.

#4 The master-chaser and the master-finisher failed to impart momentum

Dhoni and Kohli got bogged down

The in-form batsman Rohit Sharma started the chase on a good note scoring a 74-ball 65, with Virat Kohli giving ample support. Dhoni joined Kohli after Rohit fell to Duminy, and both of them paced the innings quite well initially. India were at a stage on 148-2 with just 123 more required in 20 overs with 8 wickets in hand.

But from there, India lost the plot completely, as Kohli and Dhoni realizing the slowness of the wicket decided to delay the big-hitting, playing too many dot balls in between the 30th and 40th over. Both of them added a crucial 80 runs to the total but spent 112 deliveries for the same, which ultimately cost them the match.

Just when they decided to accelerate, the duo found it very difficult to adjust to the pace of the wicket and eventually got bogged down.

#5 Batting order conundrum

Rahane once again sacrificed his position for someone else

This could be the issue that would be bothering the Indian team the most. Ajinkya Rahane showed his class in the first 2 ODIs batting at No. 3, but the move asked Kohli to sacrifice his favourite position and to bat at No. 4. Kohli was having a quiet series, and so in a bid to bring him back to form, Dhoni reverted to the old batting order in the 3rd ODI, with Kohli coming at 3 and Dhoni at 4.

But the move backfired, as Rahane was further pushed down the order to No. 6, a position he was not at all comfortable with. Suresh Raina was supposed to take the finisher’s role from M.S. Dhoni, but it looks like he too isn’t quite doing the job well. His shot selection was very poor in the last 2 ODIs as he struggled to find his form lower down the order.

Indian team management will have to have a good look at this dilemma, as India is in dire need of a stable batting order before the next year’s T20 World Cup.