Australia wins series beating India in 3rd ODI in Chennai

Indian batting order collapsed in the third and final ODI against Australia making way for the visitors to win the series 2-1.

Partnerships failed to cement tearing batting line-up which was gasping for some relief after dismal show in the 2nd ODI and miserable performance continued till series loser on Wednesday lost by 21 runs while chasing 270.

Yadav was bowled first ball by Ashton Agar in the 36th over of India’s chase in the final ODI. That left the hosts reeling at 185-6 with a target of 270 to win the match in Chennai.

The 32-year-old was leg-before to Mitchell Starc in the first and second matches of the series on both occasions also on the first delivery of his innings.

India skipper Rohit Sharma has backed Yadav as an important prospect for the ODI World Cup in India later this year.

The series defeat is an indicator that the Indian team is far from prepared for the World Cup and there are too many loose ends that needs to be tied.

The match turned out to be an anti-climax in the final 15 overs as Australian spinners Adam Zampa (4/45) and Ashton Agar (2/41 in 10 overs) snared as many six Indian wickets, giving away only 86 runs in the 20 overs between them.

The Chepauk track got slower and slower and post 35th over in the Indian innings, it became very difficult to hit the big strokes.

In the end, it took two mistimed slogs from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja to break the deadlock in a series both sides had failed to bat 50 overs even once. This 21-run defeat is bound to hurt India, for it was one of those classic ODIs where 270 was never going to be a breeze but definitely not a difficult target.

The Chepauk pitch wasn’t the easiest to score off as the ball turned and stopped on batters once it lost its shine. There was also no dew, which meant Australia’s spinners were in business throughout the middle overs. Australia’s fielding was electric. And for the third consecutive match, they got Suryakumar Yadav off the first ball despite India sending KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Pandya to prevent exactly that mishap.

“I don’t think it was too many runs,” said Rohit Sharma at the post-match presentation ceremony. “Partnerships are crucial and that’s something we failed to do today. You are brought up playing on these types of wickets, it’s important you apply. After the start, it was important for one batter to carry on and take the game deep. It just didn’t happen.”