Smith blames loss of three quick wickets for defeat

Rajkot, Jan 18 (PTI) Australia batsman Steve Smith rued loss of three quick wickets in middle overs, including his own, that proved decisive in his team's 36-run loss to India in second ODI here.

India posted a fighting 340 for six on a flat track with opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scoring with 90-ball 96 and n bowled out visitors for 304 to level three-match series 1-1.

" area where we lost it was losing three wickets in between 30 and 40 overs and t having someone re that could start to launch," Smith said after game on Friday.

"If we had someone that had been out re for a while, perhaps things may have been different but that was probably where we lost it," he added.

Australia lost three quick wickets between 30 and 40 overs. Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed in 31st over and Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav accounted for both Alex Carrey and Smith in 38th over which turned out to be a game-changer.

"I thought Marnus played really well in his first outing, first bat in ODI cricket. We were going at a reasonable rate at around six an over for a while. We playing good cricket shots. I thought we timed run (rate) reasonably well but just losing those three wickets in that 30 to 40 overs but (was) a big dent in run chase," said Smith.

According to Smith, key to India's victory was its partnerships in middle.

"I think it's just our rmal one-day game plan, with ball it's trying to take wickets and stem run rate that way, obviously y had some pretty good partnerships, Virat (Kohli), Shikhar (Dhawan) and KL Rahul played really well at back end. y were able to form some partnerships through middle," he said.

On a personal te, Smith said it was good to be among runs but he would have preferred if he could take his team over line.

"It was nice to score a few runs, I would've liked to have batted a bit longer and been re in happy hour but unfortunately, tried to cut one that stopped in wicket a little bit and dragged it on. It was a pretty bad time. We had lost Kez (Alex Carey) in same over."

Indian pacers used short-balls against Smith and prolific Australian batsman said he had to think about how to play.

"I got a few away but I probably didn't feel great first 20 balls I was at crease, and n I started to find a bit of rhythm and feel a bit better. Hopefully, some-time in middle helped and I can make some more runs in Bengaluru."

India opener Rohit Sharma hurt his hand while fielding and re is clarity on wher he will be available for final ODI.

Asked wher absence of India vice-captain would be an advant, Smith said, "He's a world-class player and if he's good we wish him all best, hope he's all right but if t, that does leave a hole for m, because he's phemenal at top of order. His record speaks for itself."

With series level 1-1, decider will be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and Smith expects it to be a high-scoring affair.

"It's a nice batting wicket. It feels like ball goes furr in air, it sort of travels, you see lots of sixes generally re. It's quite a fast outfield and it's usually a nice-paced wicket. I can see perhaps ar high-scoring game," he said.