India looked set to take a 2-1 lead in the 7-match ODI series against Australia, when James Faulkner intervened, with an astonishing blitzkrieg of an attack on the Indian bowlers, which snatched the most unlikely of victories for the visitors.
Faulkner smashed 64 from 29 balls as Australia squeezed home, in yet another very high scoring game.
Along the way, Faulkner set a new record for an Australian in a one-day international, when he smashed 30 runs off a single Ishant Sharma over, including four of the six sixes that he struck in total. His final six, was the blow that secured Australia’s victory by four wickets, with just three deliveries remaining.
Earlier in the day, India’s skipper, MS Dhoni, had rescued his team from a precarious 76-4, with his own breathtaking counter attacking innings, as he struck 139 not out, to enable his team to post a challenging 303-9 in Mohali.
Dhoni’s assault, even included taking 21 off of the final over of the innings, delivered by the man who later to become Australia’s hero, Faulkner. While at that stage of the contest, the player may have been feeling quite low, he was to have his revenge.
Coming in at number 8, Faulkner dominated a seventh wicket partnership with Adam Voges, which amounted to an unbeaten stand of 91. While Voges scored 76, he was completely over shadowed as the visitors took a 2-1 lead in the series.
The only one of India’s top order to show any form and resistance, was Virat Kohli with a classy 68, and Dhoni must have been surprised to find himself batting after just 13 overs, as Mitchell Johnson ripped the heart out of the middle order with 4-46, ably assisted by wicket keeper Brad Haddin picked up five catches.
When Faulkner arrived at the crease, 91 were needed from 53 balls, and still 44 from 18, when he launched the single over assault in the 48th-over assault on Ishant, which turned the game completely on its head, and enable Australia to once again take a series lead.