Bangalore: The Indian juggernaut finally came to a halt with Australia dishing out an exceptional performance during the death overs to win the fourth ODI by 21 runs here, Thursday. As a result, India lead the five-match series 3-1 with the fifth and final ODI to be played in Nagpur Sunday.
The consolation win also snapped India’s winning streak of nine matches as the hosts could manage only 313 for eight chasing a stiff victory target of 335.
Courtesy David Warner’s (124, 119b, 12×4, 4×6) spectacular century in his 100th ODI, Australia put up a commanding score but it was the pace troika of Pat Cummins (1/59), Kane Richardson (3/58) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (2/56), who delivered in the slog overs to stifle the Indian batsmen.
Manish Pandey (33, 25b, 3×4, 1×6) and Kedar Jadhav (67, 69b, 7×4, 1×6) added 61 runs for the fifth wicket but both paid for their indiscretion as their dismissals in quick succession brought Australia back in the match.
However, India’s chase started in right earnest as Rohit Sharma (65, 55b, 1×4, 5×6) and Ajinkya Rahane (53, 66b, 6×4, 1×6) adding 106 runs in 18.2 overs. However, Australia brought back the momentum dismissing the top three including skipper Virat Kohli.
However, Hardik Pandya (41, 40b, 1×4, 3×6) and Jadhav added 78 runs for the fourth wicket. Just when they had settled down with a nice partnership, Zampa dropped one short and Pandya was taken at long-off by Warner.
Earlier, Warner hit his 14th ODI century as Australia put up a commanding total of 334 for five against India in the penultimate encounter of the five-match series.
Warner added 231 for the opening stand with in-form Aaron Finch (94, 96b, 10×4, 3×6). Australia were looking good for a total close to 400 but the Indian bowlers pulled back in the final 15 overs in which the visitors could manage only 103 runs.
Umesh Yadav (4/71) was the pick of the bowlers despite being expensive. The dismissals of Warner, Finch and skipper Steve Smith in quick succession did put a halt in scoring rate before Peter Handscomb (43, 30b, 3×4, 1×6) and Marcus Stoinis (15 n o, 9b, 1×4, 1×6) enabled them to cross the 330-run mark.
Press Trust of India
