We gave them 40 runs too many: Badani

“It wasn’t a 350 wicket. Our batters would have planned differently had we limited them to a score below 300. On a wicket like this the toss also matters a lot. This match helps us evaluate the standard of our players as it came against one of the top-notch teams,” said Badani, before adding that he would give his feedback to the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad about how his team performed. 

Home boy MS Washington Sundar was one of the lone bright spots as he bowled a tidy spell giving away just 23 runs from eight overs and accounting for the wickets of captain Steve Smith and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Captain Gurkeerat Mann was all praise for Washington’s effort. 

“He did what was expected of him and he stood out among our bowlers. For someone so young he did well in this year’s IPL. He couldn’t complete his quota of overs because we had to ensure all the bowlers got a chance,” remarked the 27-year-old. 

Notwithstanding the disappointment of losing, Gurkeerat said the match against Australia was a great exposure for his young side. “We got a taste of the international level which is a bonus. Marcus Stoinis assessed the situation well before cutting loose. We are good friends off the field and share the same dressing room in the IPL. I hope he will get many more chances for the national team and wish him every success,” added Gurkeerat.