IndvsAus: Australia sets mammoth 335-run target against India

Bengaluru: In the lines of some terrific knocks of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Peter Handscomb, Australian Cricket team posted a 334-run mammoth total against India in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at M Chinnaswamy stadium here on Thursday.

Coming in to play for pride after already losing the series, Australia decided to bat first and was given the most amazing start by the openers David Warner and Aaron Finch, as the pair added 231 runs for the first wicket in 35 overs.

Warner, who was playing his 100^th One-Day International (ODI) for Australia, scored a tremendous ton scoring 124 runs off 119 deliveries hitting 12 fours and 4 sixes. His opening partner Finch also played a brilliant inning of 94 runs off 96 deliveries with the help of 10 fours and 3 sixes. He, unfortunately, missed his second ton of the series and got out in the next over.

After removing the openers, Indian bowlers did a great job in not allowing the Aussies score freely in the remaining 14 overs. During the last 84 balls, the Kangaroo batsmen could only pile up 103 runs and lost 3 wickets.

Travis Head began his inning calmly but got out as soon as he tried to accelerate the scoring rate. He got out after scoring 29 runs off 38 balls with a four and a six. Skipper Steve Smith, who demoted himself to No. 4 looking at the circumstances, also failed to perform and got out at the individual score of 3 runs off 5 balls.

Peter Handscomb played a crucial role in helping Australia get past the 300-run mark as he scored 43 runs off only 30 deliveries with 3 fours and a six. Marcus Stoinis exploited the final over of the inning bowled by Mohammad Shami as he scored 15 runs off 9 balls with 1 four and a six. Matthew Wade remained unbeaten at 3 runs off 3 balls.

Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for India as he bagged 4 wickets in his 10 overs. He, however, conceded 71 runs. Kedar Jadhav was the only other wicket-taker for India as he picked up the most important wicket of Warner. He went for 38 runs in his 7 overs.

India will soon come back on the ground to chase down the mammoth target of 335 runs.