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PHOTOS: Turner's blast powers Australia to series-levelling win

March 10, 2019

Images from the fourth One-Day International between India and Australia in Mohali on Sunday.

IMAGE: Ashton Turner hits out during his unbeaten 84 from 43 balls. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Unheralded Ashton Turner took an experienced Indian attack to the cleaners with some unbelievable hitting, helping Australia chase down a record breaking target of 359 runs and level the five-match series, in Mohali, on Sunday.

 

This is the highest-ever successful run chase by any team against India in ODIs, as the hosts were beaten in a high-scoring thriller despite posting a huge 358 for nine.

Playing in only his second ODI, Turner blasted an unbeaten 84 from 43 balls, hitting six sixes and five boundaries, to power Australia a superb victory in only 47.5 overs.

The partnership of 86 off 39 balls between Turner and Alex Carey proved to be a game-turning one, after Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja had set the platform with a 192-run third-wicket stand.

IMAGE: Peter Handscomb celebrates after completing his century. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The big lad, who has been a designated finisher for Big Bash League side Perth Scorchers, showed his finishing skills against world's best death bowler Jasprit Bumrah, hitting him for an effortless ramp shot for a six over fine leg.

He also took Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the cleaners with big sixes over long-on and deep midwicket. The poor Indian fielding did help his cause with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant missing an easy stumping down the leg side off Chahal when Turner was on 38, while Kedar Jadhav and Shikhar Dhawan also put down catches.

IMAGE: Usman Khawaja continued his good run with the bat, hitting 91 from 99 balls. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Turner used his big reach to hit those big sixes down the ground off spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, both of whom struggled with the dew.

Khawaja (91 off 99 balls) and Handscomb (117 off 105 ) set the tone as they played Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav with ease in the middle overs.

Khawaja was finally done in by a short ball from Bumrah and once Handscomb was dismissed, India were smelling victory but Turner changed it all with one of the most destructive knocks in recent times.

IMAGE: Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after completing his century. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan ended his prolonged bad patch with a career-best 143 off 115 balls and in Rohit Sharma's company guided India to a commanding 358/9 in the fourth ODI.

India looked a completely different side with opening duo putting on 193 runs to make most of batting first on a flat wicket.

While Dhawan got his 16th hundred in ODIs, vice-captain Rohit (95 off 92 balls) missed out on what could have been a very well-deserved 23rd hundred with Australian bowlers looking like lambs for slaughter.

Pat Cummins (5/70 in 10 overs) and Jhye Richardson (3/85 in 9 overs) shared the spoils but were taken to task by the Indian openers for their wayward bowling.

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma bats during the fourth ODI. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Dhawan, who last reached a three-figure mark against Pakistan in an Asia Cup match in September 2018, was in fluent touch from the onset, hitting 18 fours and three sixes.

It released the pressure on Rohit, who initially was watchful even as Dhawan went after the bowling.

With another opening slot hopeful KL Rahul inducted into the playing XI, the 33-year-old Dhawan finally looked to have been shaken out of his comfort zone and played like only he can.

On a ground where it all started with a dream Test debut back in 2013 against the same opposition, the southpaw decided to ease any worries that the team management had with regards to his form going into the World Cup.

IMAGE: Australia's players celebrate the wicket of Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With left-arm seamer Jason Behrendorff and premier speedster Pat Cummins feeding him on his legs, Dhawan got a flurry of boundaries inside the first six overs.

Rohit also gained in confidence as lofted Adam Zampa for a huge six. Skipper Aaron Finch  introduced himself but his friendly slow left-arm bowling was treated with contempt by Rohit.

He picked up Richardson's slow bouncers and guided one behind square and pulled one in-front. However, in his bid to reach the three-figure mark with a six, he deposited a short ball down deep midwicket's throat with five to get for his hundred.

Dhawan continued to attack as he surpassed his previous best of 137 against South Africa at the MCG during the 2015 World Cup. He looked good for a double hundred but was out trying to give Cummins the charge.

The stage was set for Rahul (26) and Rishabh Pant (36) to get at least a quick-fire half-century but both wasted their opportunities even as Vijay Shankar (26) ensured that India crossed 350.

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