Team India eyes hat-trick of wins to stretch lead

Cloaked in an aura of formidability acquired from back-to-back wins but struck by injury problems, the Indian team would be gunning for a treble of triumphs to stretch their lead against a depleted Australia in the fourth cricket one-dayer at Mohali.

With explosive openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir uncertain after picking up injuries in the third one-dayer, which India won by six wickets, the hosts have been forced to bring in Dinesh Karthik as a cover batsman. 

While Sehwag was hit on the foot by a Peter Siddle yorker, Gambhir was struck by a Ricky Ponting pull while fielding.

But India's injury worries pale when compared to the blows the Aussies have taken. They landed in India a depleted side and things have only got worse for them.

The first three matches of the series have been sort of a statement by Dhoni's men -- that they are ready to take over as the top ODI side of the world and incumbent Australia, laid low by spate of injuries, does not look in a position to halt their rampaging hosts.

So far, India have displayed the consistency that is the hallmark of every great team and bouncing back after losing the series opener speaks volume of their resilience.

And in the last two matches, the manner -- and not merely the margin -- of their victories suggest here is a team which can win from all positions.

In the Vadodara run-feast, India nearly completed a fairytale chase. The gap between the cup and lip was eventually bridged in Nagpur where they buried their opponents under a run-mountain and the Australians have not recovered from the shellacking yet.

The comprehensive win in Nagpur was followed by a clinical victory in Delhi and the six-wicket win on a low Ferozeshah Kotla track would do a world of good to India's booming confidence. 

Back in the side after a while, Yuvraj Singh proved he is not just another mindless slogger who looks vulnerable against quality spinners on turning tracks.

Dhoni, on his part, once again underlined his maturity and also his growing stature as a finisher. 

Since the Vadodara defeat, there has been a marked improvement in all three areas which now look in apple-pie order.

Suddenly it's a pleasant scenario in the pace department with Ashish Nehra continuing to impress, Ishant Sharma returning to rhythm and Praveen Kumar among the wickets. 

Among their slow bowl colleagues, Ravindra Jadeja has impressed so much that front-line spinner Harbhajan Singh suddenly finds himself under pressure.

Even Dhoni conceded the other day that Harbhajan is not at his best but the off-spinner has never lacked motivation against Australia and, as his captain hopes, is maybe just one game away from being his usual self which makes him such a dreaded opponent.

In contrast, the mood in the Australian camp is of exasperation and the outfit looked jaded in absence of a number of front-line players. 

The visitors had already flown in two last-minute replacements to shore up the side but the absence of Brett Lee has been felt in the last two matches. 

Australia captain Ricky Ponting had no qualms admitting that injuries have made life difficult for him and he himself had to open the innings in the absence of regular openers. 

More than batting, injuries have laid bare the thinness of Australia's bowling resources and Ponting apparently doesn't have a quick solution in sight even though he insisted on putting the best foot forward. 

"Injury has hit us hard. Lot of guys are in and out of the side. Brett (Lee) could play just one game before returning. Mitchell Johnson is only coming up now and James Hopes is not playing yet. But we have to try to get on with it and play the best game we can. We have to give 100 percent," a glum Ponting said.