India vs Australia, 5th ODI: 5 Talking Points

#2 Is Australia on the road to redemption?

Has Australia turned a corner?

Australian cricket has been on a downward spiral ever since Steven Smith, Cameron Bancroft and Warner indulged in the infamous sandpaper gate. The Aussies have had to battle on-field and off-field issues and inevitably, they’ve suffered. However, the series victory in India suggested that they might just have turned a corner.

The visitors looked down and out in the first couple of games. After being outplayed at Hyderabad, they let a winning position slip at Nagpur. Hence, many believed that the Aussie team had indeed forgotten how to get past the finish line. Yet, in the last three ODIs, they answered those doubters emphatically.

In the 3rd game, they stifled India’s chase with some smart bowling while their batting might came to the plate at Mohali. In the decider, they portrayed a perfect blend of caution and aggression to overcome their more fancied rivals.

There were several positives for the tourists through the tour. Glenn Maxwell’s mojo seems to have returned whereas Cummins and Richardson are making a strong case for themselves. In addition, Turner announced himself on the international stage with a scintillating innings while Peter Handscomb was efficient if not extravagant with his batting.

A few weeks ago, not many were expecting Australia to make a real fist of their World Cup defence. However, mere days later, they are being touted as potential dark horses. And while that highlights the fickle nature of cricket, it also shows that the Aussies have come a long way since arriving on Indian shores.