India looked set to end their three-month tour of Australia without a win after another disappointing batting effort against England in the tri-series one-day international at the WACA Ground on Friday.
India need to win to advance to Sunday’s final against Australia, but only made 200 on a good batting wicket despite being given a healthy platform by their openers.
It was their 10th game of the tour — including two warm-up matches, four Tests and four ODIs — and they went into the clash with England without a win since arriving in Australia.
They lost six wickets for just 31 runs to slump to 165-9, before some late hitting from Mohammed Shami (25 from 18 balls) and Mohit Sharma boosted their total.
It was another worrying batting performance by the defending World Cup champions ahead of the upcoming tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Having been sent in to bat by England skipper Eoin Morgan on Friday, the Indians made an encouraging start to their innings through the previously out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan and opening partner Ajinkya Rahane.
The pair put on 83, but the innings started to unravel when Dhawan (38) was caught behind by Jos Buttler from the bowling of Chris Woakes.
Virat Kohli’s poor series then continued when he was caught by Joe Root from the bowling of spinner Moeen Ali (2-35) for just eight.
Kohli averaged 86.50 during the Test series against Australia, which India lost 2-0, but has been unable to continue that form into the limited overs format, making just 24 runs at 8.00.
From there wickets fell steadily, with only Rahane (73) offering serious resistance.
Steven Finn’s good series continued with him claiming 3-36, as all the English bowlers tasted success.
