VIRAT KOHLI SHARES MASSIVE UPDATE ON HARDIK PANDYA’S BOWLING POST AUSVIND MATCH 

In the 1st ODI between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), host Australia pulled off a 66-run win. During the match, it was clear that India was lacking a lot of significant elements in their batting and bowling. 

Post the match, Team India captain Virat Kohli pointed out that it was the lack of team balance, while other factors were also involved. 

“We got enough time to prepare, I don't think there's any excuses on the field when you don't pull up as a side. Probably the first long game we've played in a while, we've been playing T20 cricket. But having said that, we've all played a lot of ODI cricket. The body language after 25-26 overs wasn’t great. A quality side will hurt you (if you have fielding lapses),” Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation.

As India was missing all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the bowling department, Kohli pointed out that Pandya is still not fit enough to bowl. Seems like Hardik is still not cleared to bowl as he is still recuperating from a back injury he suffered last year. 

"Unfortunately, Hardik is not fit enough to bowl, and we don’t have other all-round options to pick from either, someone like Stoinis. From the batting point of view, we had a chat briefly now. All the batsmen committed to it which is why you saw us playing with intent. I think we gave ourselves the best chance. Hardik’s innings was the best example of that. As a batting unit we committed nicely to positive cricket and we are going to do that in the future as well," Kohli added.

During the first match against Australia, Hardik was in great form as he scored 90 runs off just 76 balls. Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan stitched a 128-run partnership for the fifth-wicket but in the end, it was not enough for India to chase down the big 374-run total.