In a thrilling showdown in Rajkot, Australia managed to secure a comprehensive 66-run victory over India in the 3rd ODI. Despite this loss, India clinched the three-match series with a 2-1 scoreline, having won the previous two ODIs convincingly. Let’s dive into the highlights of this exciting encounter.
Australia’s Batting Brilliance: India vs Australia 3rd ODI
Opting to bat first, Australia displayed an impressive batting performance, amassing a formidable total of 352 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. Key contributions came from Mitchell Marsh, who played a pivotal knock of 96 runs off 84 balls. He was well-supported by Steve Smith (74), Marnus Labuschagne (72), and David Warner (56), all of whom struck crucial half-centuries. The Marsh-Smith partnership, in particular, added 137 runs for the second wicket.
India’s Bowling Efforts:
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer for India, finishing with figures of 3/81. Despite the formidable Australian batting lineup, Bumrah’s accurate and fiery bowling kept India in the contest.
India’s Challenging Chase: India vs Australia 3rd ODI
Chasing a daunting target of 353, India started their innings with promise, thanks to a brilliant performance by captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 81 off 57 balls. Virat Kohli contributed with a solid 56, and Shreyas Iyer missed his half-century by just two runs, posting 48 on the scoreboard. However, the Indian batting lineup struggled to maintain partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Maxwell’s Magic:
The turning point of the match came when Glenn Maxwell came into play. The Australian off-spinner turned the game in his team’s favor by taking four crucial wickets, finishing with impressive figures of 4/40 in his ten overs. Maxwell’s spin magic dismantled India’s middle order and derailed their chase.
Australia Avoids Whitewash:
Australia’s convincing win in the 3rd ODI prevented an unprecedented series whitewash by India. While they couldn’t clinch the series, this victory provided them with a much-needed morale boost.
Series Overview:
India had already secured the series by winning the first two ODIs. Despite this loss, their overall performance showcased their dominance in the series.
Conclusion: India vs Australia 3rd ODI
Although Australia claimed victory in the 3rd ODI, India emerged as the series winners with a 2-1 scoreline. The match was a thrilling encounter with impressive performances from both sides. As both teams look ahead to the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, they will carry valuable lessons from this series into the tournament.