Australia beats India in third ODI to salvage pride and boost morale

Australia secured a consolation victory, ending their five-match losing streak in ODIs, which is a welcome boost before the World Cup. India began their chase well, with Rohit Sharma showing promise, but it was unexpected off-breaks from Maxwell that turned the tide. Maxwell took crucial wickets and ended with a four-wicket haul, disrupting India’s pursuit.
Australia’s fielding and catching, notably by Marnus Labuschagne in the deep, were exceptional. They effectively contained the Indian batsmen, using a variety of slower balls as the pitch slowed down in the middle overs. While Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer posted scores, they failed to build on their starts, which ultimately proved costly.
Australia finally secured a convincing 66-run win over India. In their pursuit of a challenging 353-run target, India could only manage 286 runs in 49.4 overs. However, India emerged as the overall series victors, winning the three-match series with a 2-1 score line.
Glenn Maxwell received the Player of the Match award, while Shubman Gill was honored as the Player of the Series, respectively.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.
Opener David Warner’s explosive fifty, followed by outstanding batting by Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, powered Australia to score a mammoth total of 352/7 against India in the last ODI of the three-match series here on Wednesday.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India, as he dismissed three batters. Kuldeep Yadav got two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picked up one wicket each.
Australian opener David Warner brought his fifty in style after hitting a six in the 8th over. He scored fifty in 32 balls; however, his innings ended in the 9th over when Prasidh Krishna cleared up at 56.
Australia did not lose their momentum as they continued to bat excellently. Mitchell Marsh also clinched fifty in 45 balls. He was unstoppable, hitting a boundary in almost every over. He punished experienced Bumrah for 19 runs in the 23rd over with three fours and one six.
After two disappointing outings, Smith scored fifty in 44 balls. He brought his fifty by hitting a boundary in Bumrah’s bowling.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav got the much-needed break after he dismissed Mitchell Marsh in the 28th over. Marsh missed his century as he got out at 96 off 84 balls.India made a comeback into the game as they cleared the set batter, Smith, in the 32nd over. He was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj at 74 off 61 balls.
Bumrah, with his stunning yorker, bowled Glenn Maxwell. Then Kuldeep dismissed Cameron Green at 9. Australia collected six runs in the last over to give India a target of 353.