Underprepared was the buzz word doing the rounds from as early as the first match and turned out to be the defining factor in India’s 4-1 ...
Underprepared was the buzz word doing the rounds from as early as the first match and turned out to be the defining factor in India’s 4-1 One-day International series loss to South Africa in Lucknow.
Playing their first international match in a year and an ODI series after nearly 15 months, the lack of game time was sure to affect Mithali Raj and Co against an opposition coming off twin-series wins. No cricket for a year and four training sessions before a series is no way ideal preparation. But what stood out was just how much of a difference there was between their level of cricket.
The scorecards made for grim reading: Apart from one nine-wicket win while chasing, India batted first. They were bowled out for under 200 twice and in the other two games, couldn’t defend totals of 248 and 266.
As important it was to have the team back on the field with only one year to go for the World Cup, the series result was a stark reminder of the time they spent away. And, as much as the lack of match practice undercut’s India loss, the lessons from it should be given utmost attention.
Here are the biggest takeaways from India’s ODI series loss
Positions and partnerships
Mithali Raj...
