The fourth ODI of the series between India and Australia ended in a washout as rain played spoilsport in Ranchi. India’s aim of drawing level in the series with a win has been put on hold as Australia maintain their 2-1 lead going into the fifth match.
Chasing Australia’s 295 for 8, the Indian openers had scored 27 in 4.1 overs before rain interrupted the play. Rohit Sharma was unbeaten on nine while Shikhar Dhawan was batting on 14 when the players were taken off the field.
After MS Dhoni elected to field, Mohammad Shami had the Aussie top-order back in the pavilion in eight overs. His first spell of six overs with pace, control and immaculate length got him the wickets of Aaron Finch (bowled off a back-of-the-length fast, swinging delivery), Phil Hughes (caught behind off another shortish, rising delivery) and Shane Watson (bowled off a swinging length ball) for 21 runs. Playing his first game in the series and making a comeback, Shami finished with figures of 8-1-42-3.
After Ashwin dismissed Adam Voges in the 15th over, Australia were floundering at 71 for 4. That’s when their skipper and their best batsman in the series so far, George Bailey, came to the team’s rescue. He was almost out first ball, after nicking a short ball off Shami, but was dropped by Virat at first slip.
After seeing Shami through, Bailey used Vinay Kumar’s short balls and wide looseners to score a couple of fours and a six in his first over. The Aussie skipper was given another life, on 35. This time it was Ashwin who put a catch down at midwicket. Bailey kept going in the company of Glen Maxwell, who batted beautifully himself.
The two piled on 153 runs for the fifth wicket in 22.4 overs. With due credit to them, there was a lot of assistance from the Indian bowlers who undid all the good work done by Shami in the beginning of the innings. The spinners, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, were milked for easy runs and the Aussie batsmen got enough hit-me balls to put away. What also hurt India immensely was the five dropped catches.
Bailey anchored the Aussie innings, like he’s done throughout this series, with aplomb. At the other end, Maxwell was playing some innovative cricket – in the 37th over he reverse-swept Ashwin for a six and a four off consecutive balls. While Bailey put the loose balls away for fours – he hit seven fours and three sixes – Maxwell was more successful in clearing the rope – he smashed five sixes and six fours.
Both men perished in their nineties to Vinay Kumar – Bailey was caught at deep midwicket trying to slaughter a short ball while Maxwell was out lbw. Having struggled in the death in the previous matches, Indian bowlers did well to keep the runs down to 57 in the last 10 overs.
