Cricket

IND vs AUS: Steve Smith Orders Chair on Field Due to Rajkot Heat

It has always been a challenge for Australian cricketers to adjust to the hot conditions of India. The same thing was seen during the third ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday (27 September). Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith looked in great form in the third ODI and before getting out, he played a strong inning of 74 runs in 61 balls with the help of 8 fours and 1 six.

Smith along with Mitchell Marsh made a brilliant partnership of 137 runs for the second wicket. But in this match, Smith seemed more troubled by the heat of Rajkot than the Indian bowlers.

During the drinks break during the 30th over of the Australian innings, Smith called for a chair in the field and tried to cool himself with the help of an ice pack by sitting on it. This brought relief to Smith but after one over he again took a drinks break and asked for a chair and ice pack.

The video of Smith trying to cool himself with an ice pack while sitting on a chair went viral on social media. During this, Virat Kohli was seen dancing while having fun with the Australian batsmen, especially Marnus Labuschagne.

However, Smith could not stay at the crease for long after this and was out LBW on the ball of Mohammad Siraj in the 32nd over.

Earlier, Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first against India.

After taking a rest from the first two matches of the series, Indian captains Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav made a comeback in the third ODI. In other changes in the Team India playing eleven, Washington Sundar was selected in place of Ravichandran Ashwin, while Ishan Kishan missed the game due to viral fever.

Australia has made five changes in its eleven and captain Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell have returned, while spinner Tanvir Sangha made his ODI debut in this match.

India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series by winning both the first ODIs.

Playing XI of India-Australia for the third ODI

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Australia: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Tanvir Sangha, Josh Hazlewood.