Ranchi: The fourth ODI between India and Australia here on Wednesday was called off due to rain, making it harder for the hosts to fight back in the seven-match series where they trail 1-2.
India were 27/0 in 4.1 overs chasing Australia’s 295/8 when rain stopped play. The weather cleared after a couple of hours but the umpires decided the ground was too wet to carry on.
Australia did well thanks to another captain’s innings from George Bailey (98 off 94 balls) and a blazing knock from Glen Maxwell (92 off 77).
Bailey is in red hot form in the series having scored 43, 92 and 84 in the earlier games. He and Maxwell shared a 153-run stand in quick time to set the foundation for a competitive total.
The home team was sloppy on the field, dropping five catches, after putting the opposition into bat amid overcast conditions.
A struggling Ishant Sharma was dropped along with fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose axe came as a surprise.
The rain did do India one favour – the hosts will remain the No. 1 ODI side as Australia needed to win the series 6-1 to claim the top spot in the rankings. (IANS)