India vs Australia 4th ODI: 5 Talking points 

India took on Australia at PCA, Mohali in the 4th ODI of the ongoing 5-match ODI series as Virat Kohli and company looked to seal the series. Things turned out well for India at the beginnings as the hosts posted a gigantic total of 358-9 in a bid to secure a victory over the Aussies and take a comfortable position in the 5-match ODI series.

Team India got off to a flying start as the star opening pair contributed massively as the 2 put on a mighty impressive partnership of 193 to give the fans a lot to cheer about.

The star of Indian Innings was Shikhar Dhawan who smashed a massive 143 before being bowled by Pat Cummins. With 358 on the board, not many were favouring Australia in this one. But as they say, never say never in the beautiful game of cricket, the resurgent Australia side didn't surrender to the highly rated Indian side, as the visitors fought in a way reminiscent of their iconic past.

Australia put on valiant effort as they looked to level the series and thanks to men like Usman Khwaja, Peter Handscomb and Ashton Turner, they successfully accomplished!

Australia chased down the gigantic total and won the match by 4 wickets to level the series. This victory does give both the camps a lot to work on and the fans a lot to anticipate as the decider is set to be played at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

Expect fireworks as the two giants of International will battle in the decider for pride, respect and most importantly the series.

Here we discuss 5 major talking points as Australia defeated India in the 4th ODI.

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#5 Ashton Turner is something Special

India v Australia - ODI Series: Game 4

When Glenn Maxwell got out for a meager 23, it seemed like team India were set to seal the series with a victory in Mohali. Little did the Indians anticipate that a certain Ashton Turner playing in his just 2nd ODI match will turn out to be Australia’s saviour and snatch the game right under the nose of the men in blue.

Turner batted with freedom and took the fight to team India as the ball saw the boundaries ropes quite frequently with Turner on the strike.

Turner played a majestic inning of 84 off 43 balls. The Australian struck the ball pretty sweetly as his entertaining knock comprised of six 6s.

#4 Sloppiness did hurt India at the end!

New Zealand v India - International T20 Game 1

Team India possesses some of the best fielders in the world. The men in blue are known to be a dynamic unit and in the and have impressed the fans worldwide every now and then with their electrifying fielding.

With that being said, the Indian fielders suffered a rare sloppy night against Australia at PCA, Mohali.

Ashton Turner, the hero of the match, the man who helped Australia register a famous victory was dropped on numerous occasions.

Rishab Pant first dropped the man when he was just trying to settle. As they say, fortune favors the brave and if last night is the subject then Turner was defining the word brave! Turner was dropped by Kedar Jadhav in the 47th over before Shikhar Dhawan dropped a sitter in the very same over.

At the end, India will probably recall these missed chances as the reason why they lost the match.

#3 Australia lack Leadership

Steve Smith Press Conference

Life hasn’t been easy for Australia cricket supporters ever since Steve Smith and David Warner have been left out of the squad due to being suspended from international cricket.

The Aussies have lacked leadership for a long time now and that was pretty evident in this match as well.

What really is troubling the Aussies is the lack of inspirational personalities on the field. Men like Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, Steve Smith and many more have been instrumental in driving their side when the going gets tough.

Men like Steve Smith and David Warner have the potential to enhance any side in the world. Their capability of influencing those around them is what makes them being counted among the modern day greats.

With the duo set to return in 2019, Australia's fans are excited for what the future events. The absence of genuine leadership is what’s hurting cricket Australia at the moment and is what has hurted them for the most part of last year as well!

#2 India have the best opening pair heading onto the 2019 Cricket World Cup

India v Ireland - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

It’s no secret that the men in blue have one of the best ODI squads at the moment and are one of the favorites for the upcoming World Cup in 2019. Men like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and more have proved the world more than once that the men in blue are a force who have it all to lift the cup in England.

India’s effective bowling unit complements their fearsome batting in a commendable manner. The men in blue have a squad to envy if you support any other nation and a squad to be proud of if well you are an ardent Team India Supporter.

Talking about team India’s batting, the X-factor lies at the top! Yes, we all know that Virat Kohli is arguably the very best on the planet, but there are 2 more batsmen who’ve established themselves as India’s danger men at the top.

We’re talking about the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, the duo who has terrorised the bowling attacks all around the globe. Their chemistry on top has been vital to India’s success in recent times and will be instrumental to India’s plans of a lifting the biggest prize the world of cricket has to offer.

#1 MS Dhoni is invaluable to India's World Cup ambitions

India v Australia - T20I: Game 2

MS Dhoni was rested for India’s 4th ODI against Australia and many would argue on this that the men in blue missed their former skipper. Dhoni’s presence is a boost to the side’s chances of winning the match and on this occasion winning the series!

MS Dhoni behind the stumps is terrifying for any batsman! Dhoni with all his temperamental, batting prowess, ability to finish in style, his wicket-keeping qualities and more is a champion player who has done it all at the highest level for team India.

But what really makes Dhoni such a precious asset is his capability to influence the game his tactics. MS Dhoni’s absence sure didn’t help Virat Kohli as the Indian skipper missed Mahi’s assistance in the field placement, something that did favour Australia.

In order to bring out the best of this Indian side, Virat Kohli needs MS Dhoni by his side in his quest to bring home the elusive ICC World Cup later this year.