Versatile Cummins a captain's dream

Lost amid the carnage of the run-fest in the fourth ODI in Mohali was Australia paceman Pat Cummins collecting his maiden one-day international five-wicket haul.

Cummins took 5-70 from 10 overs, the best bowling figures of his 46-ODI career.

The right-armer now has 12 wickets in the series, the most of any bowler, and looks set to play in tomorrow's series-deciding fifth ODI in Delhi.

This series has seen Cummins take the new ball, a rare task for the 26-year-old who has been operating first-change behind injured pair Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the past 12 months.

But whether he should keep it when Starc and Hazlewood return from injury depends on conditions and team composition, according to pace great Mitchell Johnson.

"I think it's been really good for him – a good experience using the new ball, but it does come down to balance," Johnson told cricket.com.au.

"I look at the last game, Jhye Richardson could have had the new ball because he swings it, Jason Behrendorff needs that new ball as well because he swings it.

"But the captain went with Cummins with the new ball to start strong.

"It's a tricky one. Knowing Pat, he would want what's best for the team. That's just the type of guy he is, he'll do anything for the team. It's a really good trait to have.

"If you have a Starc and Hazlewood come back in I think it then comes down to the pitches you play on the makeup of the team."

While India made 9-358 batting first on Sunday, that score might have been closer to 400 had Cummins not taken 4-23 from his final three overs at the back-end of the innings.

More than 700 runs were scored in the fixture, with Shikhar Dhawan (143) and Peter Handscomb (117) posting centuries, while Rohit Sharma (95) and Usman Khawaja (91) perished in the 90s.

But it was Australia rookie Ashton Turner who was named player of the match for his whirlwind cameo of 84 not out from 43 balls to deliver the visitors their highest successful run chase.

However, Johnson wonders whether Cummins should have got the gong as a bowler who performed well in batter-friendly conditions.

 "I thought Cummins should have been close to man of the match," he said.

"That's another discussion: who gets man of the match in those situations where there are guys that have got hundreds? Where does a five-for stand?"

Cummins is currently ranked 20 among ODI bowlers, behind Hazlewood (10) and Starc (18), though his performances in India will likely see him leapfrog at least the latter at the conclusion of the series.

Pat Cummins: Best bowling in ODIs

5-70 (10) v India, Mohali, 2019

4-24 (10) v England, Adelaide, 2018

4-29 (9) v India, Nagpur, 2019

4-41 (10) v New Zealand, Canberra, 2016

4-49 (10) v England, Leeds, 2015

4-56 (8.3) v England, Lord's, 2015

Qantas Tour of India

First T20: Australia won by three wickets

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

First ODI: India won by six wickets

Second ODI: India won by eight runs

Third ODI: Australia won by 32 runs

Fourth ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Fifth ODI: March 13, Delhi