India dropped multiple catches in the field and missed run-out opportunities .
Shikhar Dhawan blamed India’s poor fielding for the narrow 4-run loss via the DLS method against Australia in the tour opening first Twenty20 International at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
India first faltered in the field, as Australia manged a score of 158/4 after rain shortened the contest to 17-overs-a-side affair. Glenn Maxwell was the star batsman for Australia, hammering 46 runs off 24 balls.
The 45-minute rain stoppage meant India were set a revised target of 174 runs in 17 overs.
Dhawan smashed a sublime 76 off 42 balls in the run chase before Dinesh Karthik came up with a pulsating 30 off 13 balls towards the end but India still finished agonisingly short on 169/7.
“It was a good game of cricket. It was a very close match and both the teams played really well. We got a lot of confidence from this game and will take it forward to the next game,” Dhawan said at the post match press conference.
“Of course missed chances in the field had their own impacts. The dropped catch and missed run out opportunity but that is part and parcel of the game and we took it in our stride. We conceded a few extra runs (in the middle overs) but otherwise we played well,” he added.
India were poor in the field on Wednesday. Skipper Virat Kohli dropped his Australian counterpart Aaron Finch in the fourth over, a straight chance spilled at cover, and then miss fielded later on as well.
Khaleel Ahmed too dropped Marcus Stoinis (33 not out off 19 balls) late in the Australian innings, while Maxwell survived a run-out chance.
Chasing the stiff target, Dhawan held the Indian innings together but got out at a crucial juncture. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2/22) had earlier left the middle-order struggling, dismissing both KL Rahul and Kohli.
Rishabh Pant and Karthik put on a rollicking stand of 51 runs from 24 balls thereafter and almost dragged India to victory.
But the final turning point in the see-saw battle came when Pant was holed out off Andrew Tye. Dhawan praised Pant, who was playing at this big ground for the first time.
Australia, with the win, have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second game will be played in Melbourne on Friday.
