The third ODI between India and Australia was a must-win match for the visiting team to stay alive in the series. India came into the match with 2-0 lead and BCCI decided to make this match special by having the Indian team wear special caps to honor the Indian Armed Forces.
Virat Kohli won the match and decided to chase first given the nature of the pitch. However, his decision to bowl first was proven a faulty one when Australian openers put up 193 runs in 32 overs. Finch broke his drought of big scores with a good 93 off 99 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes before he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. Usman Khawaja completed his maiden ODI century and was dismissed on 104 off 113 balls with 11 fours and 1 six and was sent back to the pavilion by Mohammad Shami.
Glenn Maxwell was looking dangerous for his 47 off 31 balls, but then brilliance of Jadeja and Dhoni resulted in him being run out. Shaun Marsh (7) and Handscomb (0) were sent back by Kuldeep, who picked 3/64. However, Stoinis (31*) and Alex Carey (21*) took Australia to 313/5 in 50 overs. The Indian bowlers did a very good job to stop Australia at that score, as at one point of time, they were looking good for 350 plus score.
India needed a good start to chase down such a demanding total, but both Dhawan (1) and Rohit (14) disappointed big time. Ambati Rayudu too went for just 2 runs, leaving India 27/3. Dhoni tried his best to keep a rampaging Virat Kohli company but was yorked by Zampa for 26. After his wicket, there were small partnerships between Kohli and Jadhav (26) first, and Shankar (32).
Virat brought up his 41st ODI century off 85 balls and was looking good to take India to the win. However, Adam Zampa had the last laugh against Kohli, after going for two boundaries in two balls, Kohli was cleaned up for 123 in 95 balls with 16 fours and 1 six.
After that, only Shankar showed some spark, but his wicket signaled the end of the Indian fight in the game and when Jadeja was caught by Maxwell off Richardson, Indian defeat was just a formality. Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins picked 3/37 each, while Adam Zampa picked 3/70 to rout the Indian batting.
In the end, Australia won the match by 32 runs and kept the series alive, with the next match to be played on Sunday, March 10 in Mohali.
BRIEF SCORES:
AUS 313/5 (U KHAWAJA 104; K YADAV 3/64) defeated IND 281 (V KOHLI 123; J RICHARDSON 3/70) by 32 runs
India leads the five-match ODI series by 2-1
