Picture : BCCI
Australia avoided series whitewash in some style as they beat India in the third ODI at Rajkot by 66 runs . On a track which was a belter of sorts . Set a big total of 352 for 7 by Australia , India at one point had match in control but wilted soon.
India were cruising along at 171 for 2but the middle-order crumbled in chase with Glenn Maxwell (4/40) getting crucial breakthroughs to restrict the hosts to 286 in 49.4 overs.
Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli (56 off 61 balls) struck fifties to provide the middle-order with a perfect platform in the big chase, but the rest floundered to hand Australia the advantage.
During the chase, Rohit clobbered six sixes and five fours to race to 81 from 57 balls and recorded his ninth fifty against Australia and 53rd overall, while Kohli, who looked good for his 48th ODI ton had to settle for 66th half-century.
The two batters put on 70 for the second wicket and took India close to the 150-run mark by the 21st over, but after Rohit and Kohli were dismissed, the others fumbled collectively.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh (96) headlined Australia’s best batting show with David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne helping themselves to attacking half-centuries during a commanding performance to break a five-ODI losing streak.
Marsh missed reaching triple figure by a whisker, Australia’s batters came good collectively in what was their last official ODI before the start of the World Cup.
Warner had himself to blame for his dismissal after a fiery 56 off 34 balls (6x4s, 4x6s), but he set the tone for Australia early on.
Smith also put brakes on his poor run of scores to make a rapid 74 and towards the end, Labuschagne upped the ante with his 58-ball knock to help Australia post their challenging score.
The series presented an opportunity to both sides to take a look at the playing eleven before the ICC 2023 World Cup . What they both need to iron out before the mega event .
