India vs Australia 4th ODI 2009: Preview and Live Score

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India vs Australia 4th ODI 2009 Live Action Updates

India and Australia are going to face each other in the fourth match of the ongoing ODI series on 2 November at Mohali. After winning last two games, India is now leading 2-1 in the series. India may not have started very well as they lost the first game by 4 runs, but Dhoni boys bounced back strongly by winning the last two games pretty comfortably. What is more worrying factor is that Australia is suffering a lot due to injuries. Pacer Brett Lee and wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine have already been out of action, and now reports out in the media suggest that  all rounder James Hopes would also  go back home with a hamstring  injury. However, ahead of the fourth ODI, India is also facing some injury woes as two key batsmen Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are uncertain for the fourth ODI.

Match: India vs Australia, Fourth ODI, Seven Match ODI Series 2009

Date: 2 November 2009

Venue: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh

Time: 14:30 Local; 09:30 GMT

Live TV: Neo Cricket, Fox Sports, Sky Sports, DD Sports

India’s confidence is now pretty much strong following two dominating performance over the world champions. However, team India knows it very well that Australia has the resources to come back strongly in the series. Specially, Captain Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, two key batsmen in Australian top order, have been in excellent form so far in the series. Their performance did not let the Aussies feel the absence of Ponting’s deputy Michael Clarke. In the absence of Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting came to open for Australia alongside Shane Watson, but he might go back to no. 3 where he regularly bats with Shaun Marsh pairing up with Watson in the opening slots.

Australia would be happy to see some grass at the surface of the wicket, but the absence of Lee may prevent them capitalizing on this advantage. Moreover, the dew factor could play a vital role in the match.

Sindhtoday reported:

The Australians will also be encouraged by the look of the track with a tinge of grass, but the absence of Brett Lee will haunt them. Still, they hope to see Mitchell Johnson Doug Bollinger, who was impressive in Delhi, and Siddle to come good.

Like in Delhi, the dew will be a major factor as the nights are a lot chillier here than in the national capital. Thus the toss will yet again be the key in determining the course of the game.

Indian middle order has also shown excellent consistency so far in the series. Dhoni played an excellent century in the second ODI followed by a half century in the third match. The only worrying factor for India is their opening pair. Indian openers: Sehwag and Sachin, failed to live up to the expectation so far in the series. Moreover, Sehwag and Gambhir are uncertain for the match and would go through a late fitness test to determine if they would be able to play the fourth ODI. Sehwag picked up a knock on his left foot when a Yorker from Peter Siddle hit him during third ODI, while Gambhir was struck by a Ricky Ponting shot while fielding during the third match of the series in New Delhi. So, it seems that neither side can relax ahead of the fourth match.

AFP reported:

"Dinesh Karthik will be joining the Indian team in Mohali," BCCI Secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.

"A final decision on the availability of Sehwag and Gambhir for the fourth match will be taken on the morning of the game."

Wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has been called up as the cover for Sehwag and Gambhir. If both of them miss the coming match, Karthik could pair up with Tendulkar to open for India. Indian captain Mahendra Singh could play an extra pacer by seeing grass on the wicket. If India really wants to add an extra pacer, Munaf Patel would be the ultimate choice. Indian spinners have done very well in the last game with Harbhajan Singh getting excellent support from Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja.

Australia could take up a different approach in their batting in the fourth ODI. Australian batsmen started off very well in the third ODI as they could successfully save the wickets, hoping to go for attacks in the slog overs. However, Australia’s lower middle order failed to live up to the expectation and I think, that was one of the major reasons behind their defeat in the third match in New Delhi. So, Aussies might not repeat the mistake and may go for attacks from the very beginning of their innings. Australian pacers have done their part pretty well, but Australian spinners failed in the last game. However, the good thing for the visiting side is that they would get a pacer friendly wicket in Mohali.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score and update websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the fourth ODI between India and Australia:

Cricinfo

action8cricket

Stickiewicket

Cricketworld

Cricket Next

Overall, India seems to be slightly favorite, but it does not mean that they can afford to take Australia lightly. They must know that Australian side has quality players who could capitalize on the opponent’s lapses. Given the grassy wicket, I think, fourth ODI would be a huge test for the Indian team who are traditionally not very strong against quality pace attack. However, Australia would feel the absence of injured pacer Brett Lee, while India would also wish if they had Zaheer Khan with them.