Skipper Rohit Sharma pointed out the poor efforts by his bowlers and fielders as the reasons for India's four-wicket defeat to World Champions Australia in the opening T20I match of the three-match series here on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Though the batters did well, especially Hardik Pandya (71 not out), who made a late charge with three sixes off the last three deliveries of the innings, K.L Rahul (55) and Suryakumar Yadav (46), which helped the host reach 208\/6 in 20 overs -- their highest score in a T20 against Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the visitors chased the target easily, thanks to Cameron Green (61 off 30), a 35 of 24 by Steve Smith and a 45 not out by Matthew Wade as they reached 211\/6 in 19.2 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit said, his bowlers did not bowl well despite defending a big total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I don't think we bowled that well. 200 is a good score to defend and at the same time, we didn't take our chances on the field. That's about it," Rohit Sharma said during the post-match ceremony at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit said it was all a matter of taking one wicket --between Wade and Tim David (18 off -- to seal victory in the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"For us, it was just about that one wicket between Wade and Tim David. And we were not able to do that. I think they got a 60-odd partnership in 32 balls, which was a turning point from their perspective," said Rohit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The India skipper the defeat makes the match a great opportunity to understand what went wrong and where the team faltered.<\/p>\r\n\r\n