Preamble
And then there were four. Four games reached in this five-match series. India won the first two in a canter, then Australia surged back in the third match to avoid a series defeat. Now they’ll have to do that all over again.
That win was built on an opening stand of 193 between Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, with the former making 93 and the latter 104. Good times for Australia given both those two have been struggling a bit. Australia’s ODI history has only seen five double-century stands, and this pair nearly added a sixth. For those who think this means that David Warner’s World Cup comeback should be denied, it’s worth noting that Warner has been involved in two of the five 200-plus partnerships on that list.
Virat Kohli made a fast 123 in the chase, his 41st ODI century, but couldn’t do it alone as his top order fell around him. But he has two tons in three games this series, so you wouldn’t tip against him doing it again tonight.
We’re in Mohali for this fourth match, scene of India’s epic World T20 win over Australia in 2016 when Kohli scripted the perfect chase there with 88 not out. It should be another pearler tonight. Let’s do it.