India vs Australia 3rd ODI Highlights: India take on Australia. (AP)
India vs Australia 3rd ODI Highlights: Chasing 231, MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 87 in 114 balls to take India to a historic series win in Australia. He was helped on the other end by Kedar Jadhav who scored an unbeaten 61 in 57 balls. This is India’s first bilateral ODI series win in Australia.
Earlier, a splendid bowling performance from India saw Australia getting all out for 230. Yuzvendra Chahal was the star of the attack as the leg-spinner picked up six wickets in the match.
Match EndedIndia tour of Australia, 2018/19 - 3rd ODI
Australia
230 (48.4)vs
India
234/3 (49.2)Match Ended ( Day - 3rd ODI )
India beat Australia by 7 wickets
India beat Australia by 7 wickets
India vs Australia 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score Streaming: India take on Australia. (AP Photo)
We have got lot's of stuff out already. You can start by reading about what Virat Kohli had to say in the post-match presentations, then move on to the reactions that have come and then finally to five talking points that we felt defined this victory. That's not it though, we will be dishing out more content and you can follow it all here. More limited overs action coming in a few days as India tour New Zealand in what will arguably be a tougher series than this as the Kiwis have now developed a genuinely good side for all formats. Tata!
Twitter explodes as India win historic ODI bilateral series against Australia. This has GONE WILD!
REACTIONS!
India finished their Tour Down Under on a high as Virat Kohli & co. registered their maiden bilateral ODI series win in Australia. After being handed 231 runs to win, India chased down the target in 49.2 overs with four balls to spare to win the third and final ODI at MCG by 7-wickets. REPORT!
Virat Kohli: "It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on, so it was important to take the game deep. Two set batsmen there who knew what to do and they got the job done. Kuldeep had played a few games, so you don't want to make things too predictable. So we brought on Yuzvendra Chahal, and he played beautifully. We've been here along time, it's been an amazing tour. We drew the T20 series, won the Test series and now the ODIs. If you had given me these results before the tour, I would have gladly taken it."
Aaron Finch:
"We took it down to the wire. Our batting in the first couple of games was very good. Maybe we should have set our targets lower on those sort of pitches. The way the boys gave everything.. yes, we did put down chances, but they gave it their all. Their batting in the first couple of games was very good."
There is only one clear winner - MS DHONI! Huge roar from the MCG crowd as the name is announced.
"It was a slow wicket, so it was difficult to hit whenever you wanted to. It was important to take it deep. No point going after the bowlers hwo are doing well, so that was the gameplan, of course supported brilliantly by Kedar, who plays unorthodox shots. Whether I play at 4 or 6, we need to see if the team balance can be retained. Important thing is for me to bat where the team needs, I'm happy to bat lower down at 6."
Yuzvendra Chahal has been adjudged as the Man of the Match for his performance tonight. Much deserving. He was a force to reckon with.
"This is my first game in Australia, the wicket was turning a bit and I was enjoying my bowling. I was able to plan and bowl slow and vary my pace. Before he World Cup, we have a big series coming up in New Zealand and I'm looking forward to that."
There is only one thalaivaa!
This is India's first ever bilateral ODI series win in Australia
It is also their first series win in Australia in 11 years
KEDAR JADHAV SCORES THE WINNING BOUNDARY! INDIA WIN THEIR FIRST EVER ODI BILATERAL SERIES IN AUSTRALIA!
BOUNDARY! MS Dhoni hits back Peter Siddle for a boundary straight down the line and the scores are now level. Fantastic shot from Mahi and he takes the total to 230/3.
BOUNDARY! Just a tad bit short from Peter Siddle, and Jadhav moves away from his stumps, picks up the length and strikes it over the covers for a boundary. India need 9 to win in 10 balls.
FIFTY! Kedar Jadhav brings up his half century and both the team selections work for India. He has turned the equation to 14 runs needed off 12 balls.
FOUR! On being dropped in the previous ball, MS Dhoni hammers a boundary off Marcus Stoinis. Fantastic over from Stoinis this and this is getting too dramatic. Nail biting time at INDIAN EXPRESS!
FOUR! On being dropped in the previous ball, MS Dhoni hammers a boundary off Marcus Stoinis. Fantastic over from Stoinis this and this is getting too dramatic. Nail biting time at INDIAN EXPRESS!
WOW! MS Dhoni has been badly dropped by Aaron Finch. That would have been a spectacular catch if it was taken, but in situations like these, one should take half chances.
RUN OUT APPEAL! That has gone to the third umpire. It is a close call. But it might go in Jadhav's favour. NOT OUT!
Three overs remaining in the innings. India need 27 runs more to win. One wicket here can make things really tricky for the men in blue.
India have reached the 200-run mark in 46.2 overs. 31 runs more needed in 22 balls.
Peter Siddle has been slushed for 11 runs in his over and that should release the pressure from India for a bit. 4 overs remaining and India need 33 runs to win.
Because it was... GLORIOUS!
Excellent timings from Kedar Jadhav. He stepped up to Peter Siddle and launched a drive over mid-off. The boundary puts pressure on Siddle.
India are 187/3. Still need 44 runs to win in 30 balls. That is the required run rate of almost 9. This seems a little difficult challenge from here on. MS Dhoni needs to fire a few boundaries soon.
BOUNDARY! A much needed boundary from MS Dhoni. The pressure was building on India with too many dot balls coming in the previous few overs and Dhoni just pushes a ball outside leg stump towards deep backward leg for a boundary. IND 185/4
Adam Zampa comes into the attack in the death overs. India need 53 runs to win in 42 balls. MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav are in the middle. A wicket here can change the tide.
MS Dhoni was struck on pads by Jhye Richardson and there was a huge appeal from Australia. But the umpire was not intersted. Aussie take reviews. It was clealy going over the stumps.
40 overs gone - India need 66 to win in 10 overs. Dhoni and Jadhav in the middle. India would hope they can take India to a win.
Smart play from Kedar Jadhav as he sees his opportunity to get a double. Ran like a tracer bullet to complete it. Three fielders were running from three different spots and Jadhav saw his opportunity.
40 overs gone, IND 165/3 - need 66 to win 60 balls
BOUNDARY! Pitched it fuller to Kedar Jadhav and he just lofted it over mid-off for a four. Why would Aaron Finch not keep a fielder there is a question one must ask. Strange fielding set up. IND 158/3
FIFTY! Third consecutive fifty for MS Dhoni. This is his 70th ODI half century. Now, the wicketkeeper can go after the bowlers.
FOUR! A short delivery from Stoinis and Jadhav gets a top edge. It flies over the keeper's head for a boundary. A welcome boundary for India as it releases a lot of pressure that has been building on India.
If both these players make it to the World Cup squad, it will be an interesting duel to watch.
India need less than 100 runs to win with 15 overs in hand. MS Dhoni is in the middle so India would still not press any panic buttons.
BOUNDARY! Wide outside the off stump and Kedar Jadhav releases the pressure with a boundary. He has taken up a lot of deliveries to get going and India would hope he can carry on the chase for India.
Kedar Jadhav has allowed the pressure to come back to India as he has played too many dot balls. In 15 balls, he has scored just 6 runs at the moment. This will put pressure on MS Dhoni on the other end to hit boundaries.
Here is what Mohd Kaif thinks led to Virat Kohli's dismissal.
Virat Kohli played just 26 deliveries in 13.4 overs since MS Dhoni's arrival to the middle. Did the time away from the ball built pressure on him? Might have.
India now need 114 runs off 114 balls. The required run rate has climbed up to 6. It will only continue to grow more as India continue to play more dot balls.
Here is what Irfan Pathan thinks happened here:
Jhye Richardson is away! The ball swinging away from him, the Indian captain takes a poke and only ends up nicking it to Carey behind the stumps. Big, big wicket this for Australia, Kohli goes for 46, India 113/3
Australia have missed a great opportunity! MS Dhoni has nicked one to Alex Carey behind the stumps. Australia went for an appeal but the umpire refused. The replays showed there was a snick! Australia had a review left.
LUCKY MS! How many chances have MS and Virat given to Aussies and there was another one. Dhoni goes hard against Peter Siddle' short delivery. He edged it and goes over the keeper's head for a four.
50 partnership for India.
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have taken India's total past 10 in the 27th over. The duo are keeping the score board ticking along without taking too many risks. The target still seems within control if India do not lose too many wickets.
FOUR! Short delivery from Peter Siddle and MS Dhoni has just hammered it over the mid-on for another boundary. Dhoni is scoring a few boundaries here and then, which is allowing Kohli to remain calm.
25 overs gone, IND 93/2
FOUR! MS Dhoni has just stepped forward and hammered a straighter delivery from Marcus Stoinis straight down the ground. That must felt like a slap... it came so quick.
Adam Zampa has taken down the stumps and MS Dhoni stretches forward to complete the run. Goes to third umpire. Yep, Dhoni was in comfortably.
HUGE MIX-UP! Virat Kohli was miles out of his crease and he had given up. But the direct shy at stumps by the fielder has missed the stumps. The standard of Australia fielding has been pretty mediocre so far.
MS Dhoni has been promoted up the order at No. 4 position as Ambati Rayudu failed to shine in Australia. Will the experiment work?
India would feel comfortable till MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are in the middle. The visitors still need 166 runs to win in 191 balls. But a wicket from here on could make things tricky for the men in blue.
MS DHONI DROPPED FIRST BALL! Wide outside off stump by Marcus Stoinis and MS Dhoni has hammered it straight to Glenn Maxwell, WHO HAS LET IT GO!
The heat is on at MCG.
WICKET! Shikhar Dhawan's misery in the middle ends as he hands back a straight catch to Marcus Stoinis. Sharp reflexive catch from the bowler and India are now 2 wickets down for 59.
15 overs are gone, and India are 54/1. Virat Kohli is starting to go after the bowlers but Shikhar Dhawan is still going cautiously. He has faced 42 balls and has scored 20 runs with 0 boundaries.
FOUR! Glorious hook from Kohli. Using the pace of the ball, he just pushed it past the mid on and it raced through to the covers. Kohli brings up 50 for India in style.
FOUR! Wide outside off stumps, just a tad bit short and Virat Kohli has lashed it through the covers for another boundary. He appears to be going after Billy Stanlake at the moment.
Adam Zampa has been brought into the attack to replace Nathan Lyon. Yuzvendra Chahal has already shown what spinners can do on this surface. Now Zampa would need to do the same. He
IS THAT A DROP!? It should be counted as one. Virat Kohli cut a delivery outside off stump from Billy Stanlake. It got a leading edge and just went over Peter Handscomb at second slip. It was so, so close. A boundary to Kohli.
It seems Aaron Finch is using a leaf out of Virat Kohli's books and he is looking to use his part-timer when the pressure is on India and are bundled in shackles. Good thinking. Glenn Maxwell into the attack.
Shikhar Dhawan living dangerously at the moment. Edged a delivery from Stanlake towards Aaron Finch at second slip. Just fell short before landing in the skipper's hands. 10 overs gone - IND 26/1
Here comes the Big Billy. He has a point to prove. Stanlake has been included only because Jason Behrendorff has a back sore. He would be eager to get a few wickets here.
PURE TIMING FOR KOHLI! Just opened the face of the bat Virat Kohli off Peter Siddle, and into the gap. The ball was slowed down by the wet outfield, but that is just pure timing from the Indian skipper.