Riding into the 4th ODI with four changes made to the playing XI and setting a target of 358/9 after opting to bat, the result in the end, left India bamboozled. Australia went on to chase a record-breaking target of 359 runs and won the 4th ODI to level the five-match series 2-2.
It was the highest ever total that Indian team failed to defend in its ODI history, losing the game by four wickets. It was also the 21st occasion of the Men in Blue losing after posting 300+ on the board.
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This was Australia's highest ever successful run chase in ODI cricket; their previous best was 334-run chase against England in Sydney back in 2011.
Unheralded Ashton Turner took an experienced Indian attack to the cleaners with some unbelievable hitting, while Peter Handscomb struck his maiden ODI ton and Usman Khawaja provided a helpful input of 91.
Playing only his second ODI, Turner hit an unbeaten 84 off 43 balls with five boundaries and as many six sixes to help Australia win in only 47.5 overs.
The partnership of 86 off 39 balls between Turner and Alex Carey became the turning point after Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja had set the platform with a 192-run third-wicket stand.
With the record chase in Mohali, Australia levelled the five-match series 2-2 with the penultimate deciding clash being played in New Delhi.
The defeat in Mohali meant India lost two successive ODI matches at home in the same series for the first time since 2012-13 when India last hosted arch-rivals Pakistan. The Green Gang went on to win the three-match series 2-1.
Batting first, India looked a completely different side with opening duo putting on 193 runs on arguably the flattest track on offer during the ongoing series.
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While Dhawan got his 16th hundred in ODIs, vice-captain Rohit (95 off 92 balls) missed out on what could have been a very well-deserved 23rd hundred with Australian bowlers looking like lambs for slaughter.
Dhawan, who last reached a three-figure mark against Pakistan in an Asia Cup match in September 2018, was in fluent touch from the onset, hitting 18 fours and three sixes.
Despite the efforts pooled in by India, Australia made chase look like a walk in the park.
With the series decider being held in New Delhi on March 13 and the last international ODI before the World Cup, it's the clash of the title contenders against the rejuvenated defending World champions.
