India vs Australia 2013: Five factors that will impact the 4th ODI

Opening partnerships

The best aspect of both teams has been their openers and the starts they have provided. The Australian pair of Aaron Finch and Phil Hughes has been nothing short of sensational in this tour. They have complimented each other brilliantly and has paced their partnership beautifully to set up a platform for Australia to take off.

Finch has been in the form of his life and scoring seems easy for him. He is not only scoring fast but he’s scoring big. That’s been a huge change in Finch this season – he’s no more making those attractive twenties anymore, he raking up the solid seventies and eighties. He’s ready to wait for the bad ball and shifts gears only when he’s completely set.

Hughes too, has found a place for himself. After a forgettable tour of India last winter, Hughes has finally started to deliver the goods. Although he doesn’t look as solid as Finch, yet his performances has impacted Australia’s success.

For India, the partnership of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma has shut the door for Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, at least for the time being. Dhawan continues to be the phenomena that he is while the penny has finally dropped for Rohit Sharma.

If Dhawan has continued his good form, Sharma has found his correct place in this batting line-up. Both are good players of the new ball and don’t look hurried by the extra pace of the Australian bowlers.

Verdict: Another good partnership from the openers of both teams