A sensational cameo from Ashton Turner helped Australia storm back in the five-match series against India with the visitors securing a four-wicket win in the fourth ODI at Mohali.
Turner smashed an unbeaten 84 from just 43 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and six sixes as India’s total of 358-9 was made to look ordinary in the end at Mohali.
Chasing a daunting 359 to keep the series alive, Australia were rocked early by India’s pacers with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah removing Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh respectively.
However, the visitors fought back hard through a 192-run stand for the third wicket between Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb. The pair were threatening to take the game away from India before Bumrah returned to send back Khawaja who missed out on second consecutive ton by nine runs.
Handscomb, though, would not be denied his maiden ODI ton with the right-hander bringing up his century off 92 deliveries. Once Kuldeep Yadav removed Glenn Maxwell for 23 a few overs later, India were back in the driving seat at Mohali.
Handscomb’s excellent innings was ultimately ended by Yuzvendra Chahal in the 42nd over with the wrist-spinner making amends for an otherwise expensive outing. Just when India thought they had their noses in front, Ashton Turner came out all guns blazing with a half-century off just 33 balls.
The right-hander showed no mercy to the likes of Kuldeep, Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar with his exquisite helping Australia pull off their highest successful chase in ODIs.
A maiden ODI century for Peter Handscomb.
India had chosen to bat first after Virat Kohli won the toss at Mohali and the two openers vindicated the skipper’s decision with a mammoth 193-run stand. Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, especially the former, had struggled with the bat in the series but they answered their critics in style with an excellent stand that deflated the Aussie bowlers.
The 193-run stand between the two openers was the 15th instance of them putting on a century partnership in ODI cricket.
Rohit was looking good for a 23rd ODI ton but the right-hander was unfortunate to miss out by five runs after he holed out to deep mid-wicket in an attempt to take on Jhye Richardson.
Dhawan, though, had no problem in bringing up his 16th century in the format in effortless fashion with the left-hander stepping up a gear after breaching three figures at Mohali. Going on the attack, Dhawan collected 39 runs from the last 15 balls he faced before he departed for a personal best of 143.
Australia’s bowlers fought back hard in the death overs with a flurry of wickets but entertaining cameos from Rishabh Pant (36) and Vijay Shankar (26) along with a last-ball six by Jasprit Bumrah helped India post a commanding total of 358-9.
The five-match series is now level at 2-2 with the fifth and deciding ODI set to take place at New Delhi on March 13.
BRIEF SCORES
India: 358-9
Shikhar Dhawan: 143 (115)
Rohit Sharma: 95 (92)
Australia: 359-6
Peter Handscomb: 117 (105)
Usman Khawaja: 91 (99)
Ashton Turner: 84 not out (43)
