India eager to extend ODI winning streak to 10

BENGALURU: Not so long ago, it was Australia all the way. They were the dominant force in world cricket, at home and on foreign soil. But their current lot, captained by Steve Smith, is on an 11-match losing streak in the ODI format on foreign soil.

Once hailed as the mighty Aussies, the Kangaroos have been tamed in every aspect of the game by Virat Kohli & Co. On Thursday India will not approach the fourth ODI as a dead rubber. They are eying nothing but a 5-0 whitewash.

They have their own record to create as well. If they win at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli’s boys will stretch their ODI winning streak to 10 games, for the first time. “We have won the series but that doesn’t mean we will take it easy. We will stop at nothing but a 5-0 whitewash. That’s our target,” leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said.

In Kohli, there is no lack of aggression at any point in time. He has transmitted this attitude into his teammates as well. But what the Chinnaswamy pitch holds is still a mystery for both captains. Once a batting paradise, it now favours bowlers. It is slow, turns a little and is not an ideal one for hitting big shots. The last Test here, between the same teams earlier this year, had exposed the characteristics of the newly laid surface. During the IPL, playing shots was not easy either. Even in the recent Karnataka Premier League here, teams averaged a little over six per over. Pitch curators believe in a 50-over game, 250-260 will be a good score.

With heavy overnight shower and spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal in form, it would not be easy for the struggling Aussie batters. “The Chinnaswamy wicket is a lot different than what it used to be. It’s slow and offers grip. It assists spinners and despite small boundaries, you can get wickets. But Australia don’t have a wrist spinner who can extract help. They are not playing Adam Zampa and that has worked in our favour,” said Chahal, who had claimed career-best T20I figures of 6/25 against England here.

It’s expected to be another good experience for the wrist spinners. Chahal said they make plans for every pitch and keep each other updated on conditions. “We have known each other for a long time. If I bowl first, I let him know the kind of assistance the wicket is providing and the right areas to bowl to a certain batsman. He does the same. We discuss a lot and plan accordingly. That has paid off,” he added.

Rain in the air

Australia have been greeted by rain everywhere. Even in the Champions Trophy, they were eliminated after two matches could not be completed. In India, they started with a truncated game in Chennai, although Kolkata and Indore saw full matches. In Bengaluru, scattered thundershowera may disrupt the game and the outcome may well be decided on D/L method once again.

21 - The longest winning steak in ODIs, by Australia. They achieved the feat between Jan-May 2003.

10 - A win on Thursday will be India’s 10th on the trot in ODIs, making it their longest winning streak. They have not lost an ODI since the 11-run defeat against West Indies in North Sound in July. Since then, they have won a game against West Indies, five against Sri Lanka and three against Australia.

What’s on and not in Bengaluru

India will be looking to make it four wins out of four. Express takes a look at Thursday’s ODI...

Pros & cons
With the series wrapped up, India’s only worry will be complacency. The bowlers have been delivering the goods consistently, and almost all batsmen have got some runs under their belt. For the Aussies, it has been a nightmarish series so far.

Pitch & conditions
Though known as a batting paradise, the Bengaluru pitch has been on the slower side of late. A mostly cloudy day with some showers in the afternoon is forecast.

Hardik Pandya
Not too long ago, he was considered a bits-and-pieces player, but Pandya has showed great improvement. He was promoted to No 4 in Indore, and it’s to be seen if he continues there.

Pat Cummins
Impressive since his comeback last December, the 24-year-old has touched 150 kmph despite the humidity here, and his economy rate of 4.40 points to his accuracy.

6
No of times Australia have won a minimum of 10 straight ODIs, most by any team.

krishnendu@newindianexpress.com