Ashton turns it around for Aus, Dhawan best in vain
Handscomb 117 and Turner’s 43-ball 84* fashion big win; series to be decided in Delhi
MOHALI: Shikhar Dhawan’s career-best 143 in regaining his form seemed to have done enough for India to put the fourth ODI out of Australia’s reach here on Sunday. But twomatch old Ashton Turner blitzed India’s bowlers with an unbeaten 84 off 43 balls to pull off a stunning four-wicket win with 13 balls to spare.
India would have expected their 358, with Rohit Sharma (95) too finding his touch, to be too much for Australia, but Peter Handscomb’s (117) maiden century and the in-form Usman Khawaja (91) built the innings, laying the base for Turner to pull off the highest successful chase in India, and against the hosts.
Australia levelling the series 2-all now means the teams will have all to play for in the decider in Delhi on Wednesday.
The 359-run target appeared improbable at an asking rate of 7.16 at the start. Still Australia, despite losing two quick wickets, achieved the target to leave India in shock, though the hosts made a hash of chances with the dew also hurting the effectiveness of the bowlers, skipper Virat Kohli having elected to bat on winning the toss.
Handscomb and Khawaja did the hard work, raising a 192-run third wicket partnership. Any hopes India had were dashed by Turner, who took India’s lead bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the cleaners. Bhuvi went for 67 in nine overs, conceding 37 runs
in his last two overs.
After Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar struck early to remove Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, Khawaja and Handscomb revived the innings.
As dew made gripping the ball difficult, the spinners were handicapped. Bumrah broke
the partnership by accounting for Khawaja. A threatening Glenn Maxwell fell to Kuldeep Yadav before Chahal finally got Handscomb (117 -- 105b, 8x4, 3x6).
As Australia got closer to the target, Turner hit five fours and six sixes to seal the sensational win. Alex Carey (21no) raised 86 runs with Turner.
ROHIT-DHAWAN CLICK
Rohit and Shikhar cashed in on a batting pitch to help India reach a huge total. It was in Mohali in 2013 that Shikhar had hammered 187 against Australia, the fastest century by a debutant. And his confidence shone through returning to his happy hunting ground.
India made four changes, KL Rahul replacing Ambati Rayudu. Pant coming in for the rested MS Dhoni and Chahal replacing Ravindra Jadeja. Bhuvneshwar got his first match of the series in place of the injured Mohammed Shami. Australia included Turner for the injured Marcus Stoinis and included pacer Jason Behrendorff for off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
With a chance to seal the series, the 193-run opening wicket stand built a platform, and despite a rare failure by Kohli (7) -- he tried to push the score after coming in at No 4 in the 38th over -- India cruised to a big total.
Shikhar and Rohit registered the highest opening partnership in Mohali, eclipsing the 155 between New Zealand’s Bryan Young and Nathan Astle against Pakistan in 1997.
Rohit’s dismissal on 95 (7x4, 2x6) didn’t stop the runs as KL Rahul, at No 3, added 61 runs for the second wicket with Shikhar, who hit some lusty blows before being dismissed (143 - 115b, 18x4, 3x6).