India vs Australia 2019: 4th ODI, Mohali – Match Preview

It was a splendid all-round performance by Australia as they won the 3^rd ODI against India by 32 runs to keep the 5 match series alive. The victory was largely built around a terrific opening partnership by Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja. The southpaw scored his maiden ODI century while Finch was dismissed 7 short of a well deserved century.

Khawaja batted sensibly and brought up his maiden ODI hundred. Glenn Maxwell also played a good hand of 47 runs. However, his dismissal courtesy combined effort by Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni sent him back to the pavilion. From there on, the hosts tightened the screws on Australia and never really allowed them to go after the bowlers.

It was a great bowling effort by India in the final 10 overs. After the start they got, Australia would have backed themselves to score in excess of 350. However, the Indian bowlers bounced back strongly and restricted the visitors to 313 in 50 overs. Despite conceding 64 runs in his 10 overs spell, Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets.

India would have been thrashed by the Aussies had it not been for Virat Kohli who scored his 41^st ODI century in Ranchi. Despite the loss of three early wickets, Virat Kohli kept the hosts in the match with fantastic counter-attacking batting. He took on the Australian bowlers with disdain and went onto smash 123 of just a mere 95 deliveries. His exceptional knock was studded by 16 fours and a solitary six.

It was indeed a special knock. However, his knock wasn’t enough to get India past the finishing line. He was castled by a good delivery from Adam Zampa. From there on it was an uphill task for India and they ended up losing the clash by 32 runs.

As we approach the 4^th ODI in Punjab, Australia would look to level the series. On the other hand, India would like to believe that Ranchi’s performance was more of an aberration. It would be another crackerjack of a contest which is slated to be played in Mohali.

Date & Venue:

Ongoing ODI Series Result:

Here’s the predicted XI line-up for both teams:

India’s Predicted XI:

Australia Predicted XI:

Head-to-head record in ODIs in India:

Records set to be achieved or surpassed:

Hitman Rohit Sharma hasn’t been in the best of touches in the series so far. He is 52 runs away to score 3,000 ODI runs in India. Overall, he will become ninth Indian batsmen to achieve the milestone after Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly.

Pitch Conditions

The pitch at Mohali has traditionally helped the fast bowlers. However, in the last few years, surfaces prepared in Mohali have been slower and offered more help to the spinners. The match which is slated t be played tomorrow is expected to be a belter of a batting wicket. However, just like the Ranchi pitch, it will also have something on offer for both the pacers and the spinners.

Mohali ODI Stat:

Weather Conditions

Summer hasn’t yet approached in Mohali like other parts in India. The temperature is expected to hover around 20 degrees range in the afternoon. The temperature is expected to drop during the 2^nd half of the match. There is no rain forecast for the match. However, a gentle breeze might make the evening a bit more chilly for the players and the spectators.

Match Prediction

The home team suffered a hiccup in Ranchi after losing the 3^rd ODI by 32 runs. Despite a valiant knock from Virat Kohli, they finished in the losing side. However given the firepower of the current Indian team, it won’t be a surprise if they come back roaring in Mohali and seal the series. Hence I will go in favour of the home team in the 4^th ODI.