Aussies put stop to India’s hot run

AUSTRALIA ended India’s one- day international winning streak at nine after taking the fourth match of the series by 21 runs in Bengaluru yesterday.

India had never won 10 successive ODIs — Australia has done it six times — but its bid was only just thwarted.

Australia made 5- 334, the first 300- plus score in the series, including a 14th century by vice- captain David Warner against an Indian attack without rested stars Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.

India was in the match until play was suspended for 21 minutes because of a shower.

On resumption, Kedar Jadhav ( 67) was caught in the deep off Kane Richardson in the 46th over and three balls later, Manish Pandey ( 33) was bowled by Pat Cummins, leaving a huge challenge for MS Dhoni.

He led India past 300, but the job was too much against inspired death bowling as the home team finished at 8- 313.

Richardson ( 3- 58) and Nathan Coulter- Nile ( 2- 56) strangled the Indian run chase after Ajinkya Rahane ( 53 off 66) and Rohit Sharma ( 65 off 55) put on 106 for the first wicket in quick time to give them the perfect start. Then Australia fought back. Rahane was caught at long on, then Rohit and Kohli found themselves at the same end after a sensational onehanded diving stop by Steve Smith at backward point.

Rohit made a desperate effort to get back to the bowler’s end, but was well short.

Earlier, Warner made 124 with 12 fours and four sixes in his 119- ball stay, becoming the first Australian batsman to score a ton in his 100th ODI.

He put on 231 with Aaron Finch ( 94 off 96), Australia’s highest opening stand in ODIs.

“Warner and Finch were spectacular,” Smith said.

“Warner’s ODI form has been unbelievable in the last two years.”

After the Aussies lost 3- 5, a quickfire 43 off just 30 balls by Peter Handscomb, replacing the omitted Glenn Maxwell in the batting order with Matthew Wade regaining the gloves, helped them secure a first win in 14 away ODIs.

India still leads the series 3- 1, but lost an ODI for the first time since July.