How India’s enviable record in deciders boosts chances ahead of Sri Lanka ODI
The Indian cricket team will be aiming to seal the series against Sri Lanka in the final ODI in Visakhapatnam and they will be boosted by their recent record in home bilateral series where they have won the big moments in the deciding game of the series.
The Indian cricket team has been on a glory run across all formats in the last couple of years at home. Heading into the series decider at Visakhapatnam against Sri Lanka, India are on the cusp of securing yet another series win. Rohit’s team will be boosted by the their magnificent record in deciding encounters of a bilateral series at home in the last five years, be it a three-match, five-match or seven-match ODI series.
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Kings of the decider
Ever since 2013, India have played 10 bilateral ODI series at home, winning nine and losing one. Out of the 10, five of them have gone to the decider.
Against Australia in 2013, India lost the first ODI in Pune but bounced back in Jaipur. Australia went up 2-1 with a brilliant win in Mohali but the Ranchi and Cuttack games were rained off. In Nagpur, India chased down 350 to level the series 2-2. In the seventh and final ODI, Rohit Sharma’s 209 helped India defeat Australia by 57 runs and seal the series 3-2.
In the same year against West Indies, India started off well with a win in Kochi but lost by two wickets in Visakhapatnam. In the third and final match in Kanpur, Shikhar Dhawan’s century helped India win by five wickets and the series 2-1.
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In the 2016/17 series, heading into the last game at Visakhapatnam, New Zealand were undone by Amit Mishra’s legspin to be bowled out for 79 as India won the series 3-2. In 2017, New Zealand won the first ODI in Mumbai but lost in Pune. In the final game in Kanpur, India won by six runs and clinched the series 2-1.
Rare setback
India has suffered only one setback in this period against South Africa in 2015. In the final ODI in Mumbai, centuries from Quinton de Kock (109), AB de Villiers (119) and Faf du Plessis (133) helped the Proteas reach 438/4. India lost the match by 214 runs to suffer a bilateral series loss to South Africa for the first time at home.
With all facets of the team clicking at key intervals, India head into the Visakhapatnam ODI against Sri Lanka as the favourites.
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India in home bilateral series since 2013
Year: 2013
Opponent: Australia
Final match result: Won by 57 runs
Series result: Won 3-2
Year: 2013
Opponent: West Indies
Final match result: Won by five wickets
Series result: Won 2-1
Year: 2015
Opponent: South Africa
Final match result: Lost by 214 runs
Series result: Lost 2-3
Year: 2016
Opponent: New Zealand
Final match result: Won by 190 runs
Series result: Won 3-2
Year: 2017
Opponent: New Zealand
Final match result: Won by six runs
Series result: Won 2-1
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