Rohit Sharma's brigade came up with a disciplined bowling to reduce Australia for 269 in the third and final ODI of the three-match series in Chennai on Wednesday (March 22). While Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav snared three wickets apiece, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel contributed with two wickets each to keep Australian batters in check. India's star all-rounder remained wicketless but he bowled an impressive and economical spell of 10 overs in which he conceded just 34 runs. However, Jadeja would have ended picking a prized scalp of David Warner had Siraj been a little more athletic in the field.
In the 20th over, the veteran Australian batter Warner tried to sweep Jadeja's delivery but since he didn't get the hold of the bat, the ball took the top edge and took a flight towards the backward square leg where Siraj was stationed. Siraj did good to cover the ground and launched a dive towards the ball but haplessly missed to pouch it that too by a big margin. Jadeja, who didn't look pleased with Siraj's attempt, was seen fuming and screaming in utter exasperation. Meanwhile, India's legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating during the match, lambasted Siraj while comparing his fielding with Jadeja.
"With Siraj what we have seen over the years, in the last 2-3 years - He still hasn't developed that instinct. So, it was a late start. This was a tough one, make no mistake. It wasn't an easy catch at all. But he started late and therefore he had to dive. No wonder! (Talking about Jadeja’s scream of anguish) But then, it can’t be your standards, Ravindra. Your standards are sky high," Gavaskar said while commentating on Star Sports.
However, Warner despite getting a reprieve could only manage to score 23 off 31 balls as he later fell prey to Kuldeep Yadav in 25th over. Exceptional bowling from Pandya and Kuldeep left Australia reeling as half of their side was sent back to the hut at the score of 138 by the end of 29 overs.
Australia got off to a good start as Travis Head (33) and Mitchell Marsh (47) stitched together an opening stand of 68 runs in 10.5 overs. However, the duo soon returned to pavilion and wickets kept on tumbling and visitors managed to post 269 on the board for India. Beside Kuldeep's 3/56 in which he dismissed David Warner (23), Marnus Labuschagne (28) and Alex Carey (31), Hardik Pandya too chipped with an impressive 3/44 in which he dismissed Head, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith.
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