India look to clinch series and celebrate number one spot

At last, India have a chance to win a series after a long gap at home. They deserve it too, because their performances in the last two ODIs, especially the bowling department, were exceptional. This is a young bowling attack and they are learning their mistakes match by match and rectifying it. India, who were beaten in the first ODI at Rajkot, came back very strongly in the second and third ODI to post comprehensive victories. The good thing for India is that Jadeja is in sublime form both with bat and ball, and it’s up to skipper Dhoni on how efficiently he uses Jadeja.

In contrast, England could have put in better performance, especially in the second ODI. They have the players who can do well, but at present, their form is under the scanner. The biggest concern for them is the failure of a top-order packed with stars, who have a lot of experience. Ian Bell couldn’t continue the form that he showed in the first ODI, and Cook as skipper didn’t play a magical innings for his side.

However, in the fourth ODI, the conditions are expected to favour pace-bowlers. The Mohali track usually favour fast bowlers, and it’s up to the individual team to see who can make the most of it and come out as winners. The weather at Mohali is chilly, which means that the new ball will swing more and team batting first will have to be watchful in the initial overs.

Pitch and Conditions at Mohali

The conditions generally suit pace-bowlers and India have the fast bowlers who can rattle England’s batting line-up. The conditions ideally suit Bhuvaneswar Kumar and Ahmed. On the other hand, England will miss Stuart Broad, who could have been handy in these conditions. England should win this match to level the series, but India look better than England.

Team news

England are considering a couple of changes. Jos Buttler could come in for Craig Kieswetter, and Jade Dernbach, who is now the most expensive among ODI bowler to have sent down 1000 deliveries, going out for Stuart Meaker. Steven Finn had picked up an injury, but could be fit for the game.

Prediction

The team winning the toss should bat first, as later in the evening the ball starts to swing under lights and it would be rather difficult to bat, though the play starts by 12 noon. One just gets the feeling that India are riding on sea of confidence, and should find no problem in clinching the series and celebrate the no.1 spot.