Is Rajkot happy hunting ground for Team India?

After facing the heavy defeat at Wankhede, team India will be looking forward to turning the tables on the Australians. But how is the record look like for the home team at Rajkot? Let’s find out.

India worry of Rajkot record

India has not had very good times at this new venue in Rajkot. This venue was inaugurated in 2013 when India hosted England for the ODI series. Earlier matches were used to be held at corporation ground right in the heart of the city. This arena is built on Rajkot-Jamnagar highway and at outskirts of the city.

In the very first game at the venue, England posted a formidable 325 batting first. Ian Bell was the highest scorer with 85 runs while all the other batsmen chipped in. In response, India also got off to a very good start.

Gambhir and Rahanegathered 96 for the opening partnership. But after that James Tredwell ensured that Indians not getting away towards the target with his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. England won the match by 9 runs.

In the second game at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, on an unusual deck for Rajkot standards, with the help of a century from Quinton de Kock and significant contributions from Faf du Plessis, South Africa put on 270 on the board batting first.

In reply, India never got going. And despite the 50s from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India ends up losing the match by 18 runs.

India confident of levelling the series

Team India has left no stone unturned during the nets on Thursday. Shreyas Iyer has said that any member of the team is comfortable at batting on any positions of the batting order.

He also added experimentation is part and parcel of every sports team. Rishabh Pant is ruled out from the game and Kedar Jadhav is poised to take his place while KL Rahul will keep the gloves. It will be interesting to see if they continue with Kuldeep Yadav or Chahal comes back into the team.

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