5th ODI: Aaron Finch and his boys chase history against India at Kotla

Debasis Sen, New Delhi: Aaron Finch and his boys are on the verge of creating a unique milestone by becoming the first Australian team to win an ODI series after trailing 0-2 down. The visitors have surprised the fans here in India with their brand of cricket. Justin Langer coached team has been meticulous in their preparation as the results suggest so, winning the T20I series and taking the five match ODI series to the decider.

On the preparation front credit should go to Sridharan Sriram for handing contracts to two unheralded Indian spinners. There were a few eyebrows raised when Chinaman KK Jiwas and leg spinner Pradeep Shaw were handed over a year contract ahead of the tour of India. The results are showing as the former Rajasthan Royals spinner has spun a web against the Indian batsmen. The former left arm spinner from Tamil Nadu was seen working with both Jiwas and Pradeep at the Australian nets on Tuesday. Finch and his batsmen were also shown videos of Kuldeep and Chahal ahead of the tour to India.

“We watched a few videos of Chahal and Kuldeep and noted the pace they bowl and the length and line they bowl at in the nets,” said Sriram after the end of the practice session at the Kotla.

Meanwhile, the visitors have selection headaches going into the series decider against India. All rounder Marcus Stoinis looks to be slowly recovering from the broken finger as he batted for a long time at the nets. He faced spinners and also took throw-downs from Australian batting coach Graeme Hick.

It’s been a decade since Australia won an ODI series in India, while the Aussies have lost their past seven ODI series, having last recorded victory against Pakistan in January 2017.