India vs Australia 2019: 3 things that went wrong for India in the 2nd T20I

#3 Dhawan and Pant’s misery

Dhawan didn't enjoy the best of returns

Shikhar Dhawan was brought back into the fold for the final T20I as the Indian team tried a second opening combination in as many games. However, the left-hander looked off the pace and was scratchy throughout his stay at the crease.

Dhawan eventually finished with 14 off 24 balls and an appalling strike rate of 58.41. The slackness of his innings sucked the momentum out of India’s essay and left Kohli, Dhoni and Rahul with too much to do.

Another left-hander from Delhi had a similarly dismal outing. Pant walked into bat after Dhawan was dismissed and the stage looked set for the wicket-keeper to shine. Yet, a six ball innings later, people were again left enquiring if Pant is indeed ready to play white ball cricket.

In the Test arena, the wicketkeeper has already proven himself. Thus, his inexplicable form in ODIs and T20s (formats he’s more suited to), has led to several furrowed brows.

And with time running out to seal a World Cup spot, Pant could just miss out on the plane if he doesn’t get his act together.

As for the game at Bengaluru, India was on the receiving end of a truly fantastic Maxwell innings. Yet, it could’ve been so different had Pant and Dhawan helped India scale a higher batting peak.

After all, in a game where 190 was hunted down, the pair’s combined 15 off 30 balls ended up firmly tilting the scales in the Aussies’ favour.