Once again, it is Australia who have managed to end India’s ODI bilateral dominance at home. Adam Zampa turned out to be the wrecker-in-chief with his four-fer to hand India a 21-run defeat and help Australia win the three-ODI series by 2-1. With a comprehensive win in third ODI, Steve Smith-led Australia also regained their no.1 spot in ICC ODI rankings.
Brilliant start cut-short
India's run chase got off to a decent start with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma attacking from both ends. Rohit was on the charge but he played a loose shot to get out to Sean Abbott. He scored 30 runs off 17 deliveries including two fours and as many sixes. Adam Zampa then got rid of Gill who scored 37 off 49 deliveries. The pitch assisted spinners and there were a few unplayable deliveries. Virat Kohli decided to attack and hit Ashton Agar for a four and a six in the 18th over to get India's score past 100.
Zampa pushes India on back foot
Boundaries dried up as KL Rahul took his time to settle. Rahul scored a boundary after a long gap of 49 balls. In the next over, he hit Mitchell Starc for a six and a four. Zampa broke the partnership with the wicket of Rahul as he could not get the elevation off a googly. In the next over, Axar Patel got run out after a terrible mix-up with Kohli and a brilliant fielding effort by Smith.
Hardik Pandya attacked from the start with big shots. Meanwhile, Kohli got to his half-century from 61 deliveries. Agar got the big wicket of Kohli in the 36th over. Warner took an easy catch at long-off as Kohli did not have enough power behind the shot. He scored 54 runs from 72 deliveries including two fours and one six. Suryakumar Yadav's horrible run continued as he got out for third consecutive golden duck. India lost six wickets for 185 runs. India got past the 200-run mark in the 40th over as Pandya continued to attack. But the required run rate started to climb. Pandya gave in to the pressure as he went for a wild slog across the line and got caught by Smith. He contributed with a run-a-ball 40 including three fours and one six.
One-sided affair in end
After Pandya's wicket, it became a daunting task for Jadeja to pull off alone. Zampa in his final over struck again. He lured Jadeja into a big shot but all he could manage was a leading edge that landed in Marcus Stoinis' hands. The all-rounder scored 18 off 33 deliveries. In the end, it was too tough an ask from tailenders. Mohammed Shami hit Stoinis for a six and a four but it was just a glimmer of hope. Shami got bowled by Stoinis as he went for a slog. India managed to post 248 as they lost the decider by 21 runs.
Pandya breaks opening partnership
Earlier Smith won the toss and opted to bat first. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh got Australia off to a flier. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami were taken to the cleaners by Australian openers as they seemed to pick up right where they left off in Visakhapatnam ODI. Patel was introduced in the eighth over but it did not make any difference. After 10 overs, Australia were 61/0. In the 11th over, Pandya was introduced into the attack. Head was dropped off the second ball but it did not turn out to be a costly drop. Head got out off the fourth delivery. He scored 33 runs from 31 deliveries including four fours and two sixes.
Pandya on a roll
Pandya in his second over got the wicket of Smith. The Australia captain got out for a three-ball duck as he flashed at a ball away from his body. This was the fifth time Pandya dismissed Marsh. Pandya was on a roll and he got the big wicket of Marsh in his third over. He uprooted Marsh's middle stump. The opener scored a run-a-ball 47 including eight fours and one six.
Kuldeep gets rid of middle-order
Batting at no.4 for the first time in ODIs, David Warner got an early reprieve as Siraj dropped his catch. Kuldeep got Warner's wicket in his fourth over. He scored 23 runs from 31 deliveries. In his next over, he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne as well who scored 28 off 45 deliveries. Carey and Stoinis launched a counter-attack. But Axar Patel bowled one into the stumps to dismiss Stoinis for a 26-ball 25. Carey followed him to the dressing room as well. Kuldeep bowled a massive turner to bamboozle Carey. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 38 off 46 deliveries including two fours and one six.
Australian tail wags
Agar and Abbott attacked Patel and hit him for one six each in the 45th over. Patel bowled one into the stumps to dismiss Abbott for a 23-ball 26. In the next over, Siraj got rid of Agar who contributed with 17 off 21 balls. Siraj in his next over finished off Australia's innings with the wicket of Starc. Australia posted 269 as they got all out with one over left in the innings.
