India vs Australia: Michael Vaughan predicts a huge final total for India in Mohali ODI

India and Australia are currently embroiled in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at the Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra Stadium, in Mohali, Chandigarh. The Indian team came into this match with a lead of 2-1 in the previous three matches and a win here will seal the series in their favour.

It is the last international engagement for the Indian cricket team before the commencement of the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales and possibly their last chance to experiment with the playing XI. After this series, the Indian players will be involved in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League 2019 from March 23.

India bat first after Kohli wins toss

The toss was the most important factor in India’s loss in the last match, as Finch had won the toss in Ranchi and chose to bat first, putting up a decent 300 plus total. In the chase, Indian batting faltered despite a brilliant century from Virat Kohli, his 41st in ODI format, and eventually, India suffered a 32-run loss, giving Australia space to breathe in the series.

However, this time, luck shined on Kohli and he won the toss and chose to bat first. History backs India, as they had scored 392 against Sri Lanka, the last time India played in Mohali, in 2017. Then captain Rohit Sharma had slammed 208*, his third ODI double century and fifties came from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer.

India make changes in bulk to playing XI

This time, Indian team made four changes, as KL Rahul came in for misfiring Ambati Rayudu, Pant brought in as the wicketkeeper since Dhoni has been rested for the last two ODIs. Also, Ravindra Jadeja was replaced by Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mohammed Shami was rested after injuring his ankle in Ranchi and was replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan had not been firing ever in the series, but in Mohali, on a belter of a pitch; the duo hammered the Australian bowlers after a cautious start. Dhawan was the more aggressive of the two and raced off to his fifty off just 44 balls with 9 fours. Rohit started off slowly, but in his usual fashion, made up for lost time and reached his fifty in 61 balls with 3 fours and a six.

Michael Vaughan predicts a huge score for the Indian team

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been following the India-Australia limited overs series with keen interest and was amazed by the Virat Kohli’s century in Ranchi. However, after watching the Dhawan-Rohit opening partnership in Mohali ODI, Vaughan made a bold prediction for India’s final score in the match.

He predicted that the Indian team will put up a total in excess of 375 runs in front of Australia and his tweet was supported by many fans on his account. If India wins this ODI, they pocket the series with 3 wins and one more ODI to go.

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