Ashton Turner came up with the best knock of his short international career so far as Australia registered their greatest-ever ODI run-chase in Mohali to beat India by four wickets and level the series at 2-2.
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Not many would have given Australia a chance after they were reduced to 271 for 5 while chasing 359 with the the big names back in the hut. However, Turner was not throw in the towel yet and played a blinder to leave the whole stadium shell-shocked. After Peter Handscomb’s maiden ODI century of 117, Usman Khawaja’s 91 helped Australia turn the game on its head, they needed an improbable 98 off the final 10 overs to pull off the unlikely win.
Turner then launched a stunning counterassault to win the game for his side with more than two overs remaining. In all hit five fours and six sixes to mow down the target with 13 balls to spare. The win was Australia’s highest ODI run chase, the fifth highest for any team and the highest ever against India.
That's that from Mohali.
What a finish this by Australia. They win the 4th ODI by 4 wickets and level the 5 match series 2-2. Onto Delhi for the decider #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ODegTmcG1k
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 10, 2019
Earlier in the game, Shikhar Dhawan’s 143 and Rohit Sharma’s 95 had helped India post a mammoth 358.
Turner, who was in the playing eleven only because Marcus Stoinis was not fit, deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match gong. And just like everyone else, he too was lost for words as he admitted it while receiving the award.
“I’m lost for words. I turned up to the ground today. Marcus Stoinis was doing his fitness test. He had a broken thumb, I thought he would play today and I would be carrying drinks. But I had to transition my mind from not playing to playing. I had a lot of confidence. I was ready to go if given a chance,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“It’s not every day that we get to play. I thought India played really well and it was a great game of cricket. Batting is lot of fun, there were a few close calls and I know that I didn’t nick that one that went upstairs. Very fortunate. Haydos has been great to me. I was privileged to get my cap from him in Hyderabad. He’s spent a lot of time with me in the nets. He’s a brilliant player of spin bowling and he’s a legend. Someone I always looked up to. It’s nice to hear nice things from him. I try my best, one of those things over here (Playing against spinners),” added Ashton Turner.
