Advantage Australia As India Battles Self-doubt

The visitors have gained in strength even as the hosts’ middle-order, sans Dhoni, looks vulnerable

- Rakesh Rao

It just took two strong performances from Australia to sow the seeds of self-doubt in the minds of the Virat Kohli led Team India.

Each victory, riding on 300+ totals, chipped away at India’s confidence, gained after pulling itself out of difficult situations in the first two One-Day Internationals.

Standing taller Though the series stands at 2-2, Australia stands taller as an improving side. Without doubt, the visiting team has played better cricket.

Following the Australian triumphs, first by setting the target and then by scripting a successful, historic chase, Kohli is less sure of the series triumph.

Moreover, given the possibility of dew on Wednesday evening, the toss could prove crucial.

Indeed, its rare to find the home captain pointing to conditions — misreading the possibility of dew, or the lack of it — that played its part in two defeats.

Kohli looks rattled when the bowlers get the stick or don’t bowl to the field. No bowler likes the sight of a visibly-angry captain. In Mohali, the bowlers faced Kohli’s burning glare while Ashton Turner turned on the heat.