Canberra, Jan 20:
India capitulated shamelessly losing the last 9 wickets for 46 runs to give Australia a 25-run victory in the fourth ODI, here today after outstanding centuries by Shikhar Dhawan (126) and Virat Kohli (106).
Chasing a substantial 349 for their first win in the series, the visitors were given a great start by Rohit Sharma, who hit a breezy 41 off 25 balls before Dhawan and Kohli set up a rollicking partnership of 212 runs for the second wicket off 177 balls to take the team to 277 without any further loss when Dhawan fell to mark a long procession of Indian batsman returning to the pavilion.
Kohli hit 106 off only 92 balls for his second successive century in the series before a soft dismissal and then Dhoni (0) lasted only three balls to dash India’s hopes with another frontline batsman Ajinkya Rahane injured although he did come into bat making only 2 runs.
India’s fourth successive defeat in the five-match series came a day after Team Director Ravi Shastri had said that “there is absolutely no shame in the way they have played despite recent results,” but after the match Dhoni took responsibility of the loss.
When India finally got dismissed for 323 in 49.2 overs, Australia registered their 18th consecutive win in ODIs played at home.
India now have five centuries in the series with Rohit and Virat helping themseleves to two each and now Dhawan has also scored a hundred. However poor bowling has cost them dearly in this series.
Chasing 349, Rohit and Dhawan set a hectic pace from the very start. They were helped by Australia’s ploy of starting with Nathan Lyon (1-76) from one end.
It helped the Indian batsmen, with Rohit going on the attack straightaway, and the 50-mark came up in just 44 balls.
He played a quick-fire knock which set up the chase and the next pair didn’t look back after that.
Dhawan’s innings had 14 boundaries and two sixes while Kohli hit 11 boundaries and a six.
But he was gone after gloving the ball down the leg side off Kane Richardson (5/68) in the 8th over. Kohli and Dhawan then continued with smacking the ball at will, and the next 50 runs for India came in just 30 balls, with the 100-mark coming up in the 13th over.
When it started to drizzle, it assured that the Duckworth/Lewis method would be the least of their worries.
Meanwhile, nothing was working for Australian bowlers on a flat track, as the Indian duo didn’t let up the pressure of scoring, that too without offering a single chance. (PTI)
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