Toss Sealed India's Fate Against Australia in World Cup Semis, Claims Ajit Wadekar

India were let down by their pace bowlers and losing the toss was a big blow to the defending champions, who went down tamely to Australia in the semi-final of the Cricket World Cup today, said former captain Ajit Wadekar.

"We lost half the game at the toss itself as the Sydney wicket is known to become slower as the match progresses and that's exactly what happened. Also, chasing 329 in a World Cup semi-final was a formidable task," he told PTI. (Five Reasons to Cheer Team India Despite Defeat)

Australian skipper Michael Clarke opted to bat first after winning the toss and the four-time champions rattled up 328 for 7 by riding on in-form batsman Steve Smith's classy century at the packed SCG.

India, in reply, were shot out for 233 in 46.5 overs that helped Australia win the lop-sided match by 95 runs and romp into the March 29 final against Trans-Tasman rivals and tournament co-hosts New Zealand.

Wadekar felt India were let down by their pace bowlers, who needlessly tried to outdo the Aussies in bowling short-pitched balls which were dispatched to boundaries. (Dhoni Pokes Fun at ODI Retirement)

"The bowlers started off well in the first five to six overs but thereafter their bowling went awry as they bowled too many short-pitched balls. They are not exactly (Mitchell) Johnson or (Mitchell) Starc, are they?" he remarked wryly. (Dhawan's Dismissal was the Turning Point: Dhoni)

The 73-year-old former cricketer also felt the Indian team had exceeded his expectations by reaching the semis which looked unlikely when they could not win a single game in the preceding triangular series involving England as the third outfit. (India Outplayed by Better Team: Sourav Ganguly)

"Not many felt they would even reach the knock-out phase after their poor show in the triangular series."

Wadekar was also of the opinion that Team India peaked a bit early by winning all their league games followed by the quarter-final victory over Bangladesh and the law of averages caught up with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company "at the wrong time".

Asked whether he wanted the Ranchi superstar to continue to play limited overs cricket, Wadekar said, "Yes. He has retired from Tests in which his captaincy was not great, but he's a fine captain in the shorter forms of the game and he's still a fine finisher."

Another former captain and ex-chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar credited the Australian batsmen, especially Aaron Finch (81) and Smith (105) who put on 182 runs for the second wicket, and the latter order in putting up the imposing total.

He also noted that in total contrast it did not happen later on after India commenced the chase on a sound note with openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma putting on 76 runs before a mini collapse saw them lose four wickets in a heap.

"Australia played well. Partnerships are very important India, after getting an excellent start, could not capitalise on it. We lost three wickets after a very good start," said the 116-Test veteran.

"When you are playing with only five batsmen and chasing 329, you need someone to score 150 in the top four and you need partnerships. That did not happen," he added.

Vengsakar was all praise for Clarke's leadership and pointed out how left-arm pacer Johnson was brought on as soon as India's main hope Virat Kohli arrived at the crease at the fall of Dhawan's wicket.

"Michael Clarke also led well. He kept the pressure on throughout. The way he brought back Mitchell Johnson into the attack when Kohli came to bat was a masterstroke. He got the prize wicket (of Kohli)," noted Vengsarkar.

While conceding that the Indian pace bowlers were off the mark, Vengsarkar blamed the batsmen more for the loss.

"They bowled reasonably well. You have to say Smith and Finch played extremely well. Of course they gave a lot of runs. But having said that I would give credit to the Australian batsmen who forged excellent partnerships and took the game away. In the end too Maxwell and Johnson and Watson played some big shots to help Australia end on a very good note.

"If you play five (front-line) batsmen and three of those fail they you lose the fight. After that excellent opening stand someone should have stayed there and scored 150 and should have had three partnerships which did not happen."