The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli expressed his dissatisfaction with the Decision Review System (DRS) that went against the hosts during a crucial run of play in the fourth ODI against Australia at Mohali on Sunday.
During the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “But the DRS call was a bit of surprise for all of us and it’s becoming a more of a talking point every game, it’s just not consistent at all, that was a game-changing moment.”
Kohli was referring to the call that came against Man of the Match Ashton Turner, who scored 84* off 43 balls as he was on 41 in the 44th over. Rishabh Pant appealed for a caught behind off Yuzvendra Chahal and forced his skipper to take the DRS which India went on to do. The Snickometer showed a spike as the ball passed the bat, but it had shown spikes even before the ball reached the batsman as well. The third umpire Joel Wilson decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the on-field decision.
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However, Turner said that he knew that he didn’t nick that one, but the big-screen visual raced his heart.
Describing the game further, Kohli said, “The wicket remained good throughout the game. It was very difficult to bowl in the end. Ashton’s innings was the game-changer. Last game, we were told there would be dew and we were at the wrong end. They played better cricket, they deserved to win.”
Kohli was livid with his team’s fielding as Turner earned three lives en route his match-winning knock. Pant was the first to miss a stumping chance in the 44th over off Chahal. Kedar Jadhav then failed to hold on to one at deep mid-wicket in the 47th over off Bhuvneshwar. Dhawan added to India’s woes after he dropped a dolly at mid-off much to the dismay of Kohli.
The Indian skipper said, “Crucial, we were sloppy in the field and should’ve grabbed our chances. The opportunities slipped away and so was the game. It’s going to be cracker of a game, we’ve had two eye-openers in two games. We have to work hard and we got to come up with more intensity and passion in the next game.”
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Australia were off to a rocky start in the chase after Finch and Shaun Marsh were dismissed cheaply. However, Usman Khawaja, who brought up his maiden ODI ton during Australia’s win in Ranchi on Friday, and Peter Handscomb, who scored his first ODI century in Mohali.
Aaron Finch lauded the Khawaja-Handscomb duo, who put in a 192-run partnership to help Australia make a comeback in the game.
Finch said, “I thought the partnership between Usman and Peter was crucial. To be able to get us deep was unbelievable. To get his (Handscomb) maiden hundred was outstanding. When we chased 300 totals in Australia, we were trying to go with the same process. The wicket was good, it wasn’t a panic. The plan was to take the game as deep as we could.”
Praising Turner for his effort, Finch appreciated the way he took on “two of the best-death bowlers in the world” Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The partnership of 86 off 39 balls between Turner and Alex Carey turned out to be the turning point after Handscomb and Usman Khawaja had set the platform. Turner, who replaced the injured Marcus Stoinis, helped Australia chased down the mammoth 359-run target with 13 balls to spare in their highest ever run chase.
Talking about hi knock, Ashton said, “I was ready to go if given a chance. I thought India played really well and it was a great game of cricket. Batting is lot of fun, there were a few close calls and I know that I didn’t nick that one that went upstairs. Very fortunate.”
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Turner heaped praise on former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden for being his batting mentor. He said, “Haydos has been great to me. I was privileged to get my cap from him in Hyderabad. He’s spent a lot of time with me in the nets. He’s a brilliant player of spin bowling and he’s a legend. Someone I always looked up to. It’s nice to hear nice things from him. I try my best, one of those things over here.”
