Top International Cricketers Dissect India’s Semi-Final Loss

Several former International cricketers critically examined the reasons for India’s humiliating loss against Australia. Read here.

The Indian team’s near flawless title defence came to an agonising end today as they succumbed to pressure against the home team Australia. Former cricketers expressed their disappointment and critically examined the mistakes made by the Indian team -

Indian bowlers bowled too many short balls to Steve Smith and Aaron Finch in the beginning and they played them comfortably. In fact, after David Warner’s early dismissal, India had a real chance to put pressure and choke Australia for runs, but instead, Smith and Finch hooked most of the shot-pitched deliveries for boundaries, which took pressure off the Aussie batsmen.

– Rahul Dravid

Smith and Finch’s partnership gave Australia the perfect platform to make a big score. But even after the Aussies lost 3-4 quick wickets, the last 5-6 overs, with Watson, Haddin and Johnson scoring over 11-runs an over and getting the score to 327, made the difference. Any team going in to chase over 325, will end up taking risks and wickets will fall.

– Ricky Ponting

I am not upset with India’s defeat, but I am disappointed at the manner of the loss. India’s batsmen had to be patient instead of throwing their bat at everything. It was just casual shot selection.

– Anil Kumble

Indian batsmen needed maturity in their batting. Building partnerships was the key to win this match. At least one of the Indian batsmen should have taken the responsibility to anchor the innings.

– Krish Srikanth

The Australians executed their plan and the Indians didn’t, its just that simple. Although, Dhoni could have come up the order, like he did in the World Cup 2011 final. He could have then anchored the innings so that big-hitters like Suresh Raina and Ravinder Jadeja could bat around him.

– Brett Lee

The Indians made the Australian bowling look harder to play than it actually was. That can happen to a side chasing such a huge total. Australia totally outplayed India.

– Shane Warne

This is cricket, the greatest also fall. Australia outplayed us today and that happens. We did the same to them in the 2011 World Cup. Even the best can have a bad day.

– Zaheer Khan