So it was rains at Ranchi…where India was having
a little more edge, when they started chasing 296 as target. After three
consecutive 300 plus scores by visitors, Indian Bowlers may just feel a little
better with 295. But 295 was a very competitive score given Australian
penetrative fast bowling and excellent ground fielding, which easily adds up
20-25 runs each time to the target set by them. Even without Ishant Sharma
India struggled to curb Aussies run flow. Indians are yet to find a way to
contain no.6, Glenn Maxwell and mainly the consistent Aussie Captain George
Bailey-now a leading series scorer. Baileys` consistent runs getting and
handling spinners especially R Ashwin effortlessly has become a big headache
for India in this series so far. India was lucky to get both these
batsmen out through Vinay Kumar, going after him in bit too hurry, while
looking for even bigger score, as Indians chased 350 plus total effortlessly in
second ODI at Jaipur.
Aussie
Captain Bailey Mohammad Shami
But the opening hour of the match belonged to
comeback man Mohammad Shami. This 23 year old Bengal Ranji player was having
just 11 matches experience behind him. But what he did to Australia was not
even expected in anybody`s wildest of dreams. Australia was just 32 for 3 in 8th over.
With Shami reading 20 for 3 off four overs. It could have been even worse for
visitors if Captain Bailey’s first ball catch would have stuck in Virat Kohli`s
palm at Third slip in the sixth over. This missed opportunity cost Indians very
dearly, 98 runs to be precise and not to speak of 153 runs partnership with
Maxwell. Through this partnership Aussies made a comeback in this 4th ODI
and put almost 300 on the board. And by the way Indians went on to make that
tally of dropped catches to 5. Indian Fielding is continuously on a down side
with every match. Only few months back this side was termed as one of the best
fielding side in Champions Trophy. This makes Indian attack look more mediocre.
Barring Mohammad Shami every other Indian bowler
struggled to make any sort of mark on visitors. They found it difficult either
to contain or strike at right time, by bowling better in right areas. M S
Dhoni`s team selection also puzzled cricket pundits. Under the
circumstances Bhuvnesh Kumar -who swings the ball both ways -was the first
choice. But along with Ishant he was also dropped. Probably MSD considered
experience of Vinay Kumar would be more useful in death overs. Or he probably
wanted to give few more chances to Vinay Kumar as a built up to 2015 world cup.
Also everybody failed to understand why the best bowler on the day was
underutilised. Shami bowled only 8 out of his quota of 10.But that`s Mahi
style, always unpredictable. Always follows his gut feeling, this way he has
become most successful Indian Captain and given us the second world cup also .
Indians still think 296 was gettable, but for the untimely rain. So hope for
the best weather and cricket at Cuttack on Saturday afternoon, with India very
keen to level the series 2-2 with 3 more to go.
-For The DAY VIEW, Nashik 26.10.2013.
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