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Team India will look to save series against Australia

Last updated on: October 22, 2013 14:24 IST
Team India

India will be under pressure to bounce back when they take on Australia in the fourth ODI in Ranchi on Wednesday. The visitors scored a thrilling four-wicket win in Mohali to go 2-1 up in the seven-match ODI series.

India retained the same eleven in the first three matches but may be forced to tinker with the bowling line-up, which has failed to live up to expectations.

Heartbreak for Team India in Mohali

Last updated on: October 22, 2013 14:24 IST
MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja

It was heartbreak for Team India in Mohali. Defending a huge target of 304, India were on course for a comfortable victory in the third one-dayer, with 44 needed from the last three overs, but a wayward Ishant Sharma leaked 30 runs in the 48th over, James Faulkner smashing four sixes and two fours to turn the match Australia's way.

The introduction of two new balls, coupled with a change in field restrictions, fielders in the deep being reduced to four from five, has hit the Indian camp as the pacers are struggling to cope up with the alteration of rules.

Ishant may not retain his place in the team

Last updated on: October 22, 2013 14:24 IST
Ishant Sharma

Known for their lack of pace and swing, the Indian pacers rely more on reverse swing on flat pitches after the ball becomes old, but the new rule has unsettled the hosts badly.

While India's batsmen have been in top form, it's the bowlers who have conceded 300-plus runs in all the three ODIs, after poor spells in the death overs, a major concern for the team management.

Ishant and R Vinay Kumar were expensive, both conceding seven-plus runs per over, but the latter was at least among wickets and that might go in his favour. At 5.37, the third pacer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, was 'economical'.

After the disgraceful 48th over in Mohali, Ishant may not retain his place in the team and could be replaced by left-arm medium pacer Jayadev Unadkat, who is expected to bring some variety to the monotonous pace attack.