India vs Australia, Highlights, 3rd T20I, Sydney: Suresh Raina Special Gives India Thrilling Last-Ball Win to Seal 3-0 Whitewash
A brilliant effort from Suresh Raina, combined with Yuvraj Singh's power hitting at the end, helped India achieve a thrilling last-ball win to achieve a 3-0 whitewash. Relive all the magnificent moments here
A brilliant century from Shane Watson, only the second by an Australian batsman, laid the foundation for Australia's mammoth 197/5. However, fifties from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli kept India in the hunt. It was left to Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh to get India close and the duo responded by helping them over the line in a last-ball thriller. With this seven-wicket victory, India have achieved a 3-0 whitewash over Australia. Relive all the moments here. ( SCORECARD | NEWS | VIDEOS | PHOTOS)
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17:47 hrs IST: With this win, India's tour of Australia has come to an end. It is also the end of the 2015/16 Australian summer. The series ends 4-4 but surprisingly, India will have the credit of clean sweeping their opponents. Until next time, good bye.
17:44 hrs IST: MS Dhoni: Credit should be given to the bowlers in this series. Bumrah and Nehra have done really well. This is the side which might feature in the World Twenty20. One or two spots are up for grabs. It is important to score large amount of runs when one is in good form
17:38 hrs IST: Shane Watson is the Man of the Match for his knock of 124*, for taking a catch and for taking 1/30 in his four overs. He says, "I am loving playing for Australia at this moment. It is a privilege to captain the team.I was hitting the ball well. It was a pleasure to bat at the top of the order."
17:34 hrs IST: Virat Kohli is the Man of the Series for his knocks of 90*, 59* and 50. He says, "I am a big fan of Rohit's batting. He makes it so easy. He deserves a big credit for the start. I am a big fan of Rohit's batting. He makes it so easy. He deserves a big credit for the start. I wanted to finish the game off. Credit should go to Raina and Yuvraj, who are both making comebacks, for finishing it off
17:24 hrs IST: India have now achieved the two highest chases against Australia in Twenty20 internationals. In 2013, they chased down 201 in Rajkot while they have chased down 197 in Sydney to achieve the whitewash. Those two lusty blows by Yuvraj towards the end really made the difference.
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17:16 hrs IST: With this result, India achieve a 3-0 whitewash over Australia in the Twenty20 series. They become the first team to whitewash Australia at home. This is the first time that India have achieved such a scoreline and this might propel them to No. 1 in the Twenty20 rankings.
17:15 hrs IST: Brilliant effort from Yuvraj and Raina! In the final over, Yuvraj sets the ball rolling by smashing a four and a six off Tye to put India within striking distance. Raina held his nerve with a couple of twos and he seals it by smashing Tye over backward point to complete a wonderful seven-wicket win.
17:06 hrs IST: Brilliant bowling from Watson, gives away just five runs in the 19th over. India need 17 off the last over. Watson: 4-0-30-1. Combined with his century, it has been a brilliant effort.
16:59 hrs IST: Edge results a boundary to third man. Next ball, he scoops it to fine leg and with these two boundaries, the equation has boiled down to 22 off 12 balls.
16:53 hrs IST: So far, Yuvraj has struggled to lay bat on ball. The onus is on Raina and he responds with some good hits.
16:50 hrs IST: A loud cheer erupts around Sydney as Yuvraj comes in. Can he achieve something special in his first match with the bat?
16:46 hrs IST: WICKET! Unlucky way for Kohli to go. He comes down the track but Boyce gets this delivery to dip, the ball takes the inside edge onto the pad and rolls back onto the stumps. Kohli b Boyce 50 (36). India 147/3 (14.5), need 51 off 31
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16:43 hrs IST: Virat Kohli brings up his 12th fifty off 35 balls, it is his third against Australia. In eight innings, seven fifties. What a tour he is having
16:38 hrs IST: Tait bowls short and targets Raina's hip, but the left-hander moves across and flicks it to fine leg for a boundary. Tait ends his spell. 4-0-46-0, poor returns.
16:35 hrs IST: Missed stumping! Bancroft fails to collect as Raina is lured out of the crease. Next ball, Raina slogs to deep midwicket for a six.
16:33 hrs IST: WICKET! That is a big wicket. Boyce floats a delivery on leg stump and Rohit flicks it to midwicket. Rohit Sharma c Watson b Boyce 52 (38). India 124/2 (12.3 ov)
16:28 hrs IST: Rohit Sharma brings up his ninth fifty off 35 balls. It is his third against Australia and second in this series. He has been in great form and his love affair with Australia continues.
16:22 hrs IST: The partnership between Rohit and Kohli has gone past fifty. Rohit moves closer to his fifty by pulling Maxwell for a six over deep square leg.
16:18 hrs IST: Rohit survives a close LBW shout against Tait but it was going down the leg side. India bring up the 100 in just 9.4 overs.
16:12 hrs IST: The partnership is nearing fifty, Rohit is nearing a fifty. Australia under pressure.
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16:08 hrs IST: Boyce gives away only seven runs in his first over. However, both batsmen are looking in great touch.
16:04 hrs IST: Andrew Tye gives away 12 runs in his first over. Kohli launches him over long on for a six. Great batting! India 74/1 after six overs.
16:01 hrs IST: Rohit and Kohli continue to bat aggressively as the run-rate goes over 12. They are well on course.
15:56 hrs IST: Rohit Sharma leaves a ball on leg stump and is appalled that it is not given a wide. Even Virat Kohli argues with the umpire. However, replays show that the ball brushed the pad. Good decision.
15:52 hrs IST: WICKET! Shane Watson can do no wrong. Dhawan comes down the track and Watson shortens the length, the left-hander adjusts and looks to glide it to third man, gets the edge to Bancroft. Shikhar Dhawan c Bancroft b Watson 26 (9).
15:50 hrs IST: Carnage in the third over and Tait is all over the shop. Dhawan smashes two boundaries and a six off Tait and the slingy right-armer concedes 24 runs in his second over.
15:48 hrs IST: Dhawan and Rohit are going after Tait. The left-hander gets going with a four down the ground and a flicked six to deep midwicket.
15:43 hrs IST: Boland gives away 11 runs in his first over. India off to a positive start. India 18/0 after two overs.
15:42 hrs IST: Shikhar Dhawan also gets off the mark with a boundary off Scott Boland to deep point. Openers make positive start.
15:38 hrs IST: Rohit gets off the mark in style with a boundary to deep extra cover. Shaun Tait gives away seven in his opening over.
15:35 hrs IST: Welcome back for the chase. India's batsmen have been in good form in this series. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been in great form and this will be a great chase.
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15:18 hrs IST: Watson continues to shatter records. He now has the highest individual score by a captain in this format while his unbeaten 124 is the second-highest individual score. Watson's knock is also the highest score on Australian soil, going past Damien Martyn's 96 against South Africa in Brisbane. Australia end up on 197/5.
15:09 hrs IST: Watson slams another six and he approaches another record. Can they go past 200?
15:05 hrs IST: Once again, here is a list of records. Watson becomes second Australian to hit a century in Twenty20s, becomes the first Australian to hit a century in all three formats, is the first player to hit a century against India in this format.
15:00 hrs IST: WICKET! Sir gets Head! Fast yorker and the left-hander is unable to squeeze it out. Head b Jadeja 26 (19).
14:57 hrs IST: Brilliant stuff from Watson. He brings up his maiden century off 60 balls by smashing Jadeja to deep midwicket, Yuvraj is unable to stop it. Watson is the second Australian after Aaron Finch's 156 to hit a century while he is the first player to hit a century against India. Australia eyeing a total close to 200.
14:54 hrs IST: Watson enters the 90s by thumping Ashwin straight down the ground. Ashwin finishes his spell, which reads 4-0-36-1.
14:51 hrs IST: Brilliant save from Pandya at deep midwicket. Head slog sweeps it and the ball seems to be heading towards the boundary, however, Pandya leaps and catches the ball near the ropes, he releases the ball quickly as he goes over, saves four runs.
14:49 hrs IST: Watson moves into the 80s with a six off Jadeja. The partnership with Head has also gone past fifty.
14:45 hrs IST: Watson works a flighted ball from Ashwin to deep mid wicket and Pandya is a bit slow in getting there. Dhoni gestures that he must move quicker.
14:43 hrs IST: Pandya gives away 15 runs in his second over. This included two wides and two boundaries as well as a dropped catch by Virat Kohli.
14:39 hrs IST: Dropped! Watson gets a life on 56. He smashes a full ball to deep extra cover, Virat Kohli runs forward and dives but fails to latch on. Next ball, Pandya bowls a full toss and Watson slams it for a boundary to deep extra cover.
14:32 hrs IST: Watson crunches a drive through point and brings up his 11th fifty off 37 balls. It is his third against India.
14:29 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya is into the attack now. He changed the course of the match in Melbourne when he took the catch of Shaun Marsh and got the wicket of Chris Lynn.
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14:26 hrs IST: WICKET! Yuvraj strikes first ball and he gets Maxwell again. He has found a new bunny. Flighted delivery and Maxwell smashes it straight to cover. Maxwell c Raina b Yuvraj 3 (5).
14:20 hrs IST: WICKET! Out of nowhere, a wicket for India. Shaun Marsh attempts the slog sweep but the ball hits off stump. Poor stroke! Shaun Marsh b Ashwin 9 (12).
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14:18 hrs IST: Watson and Shaun Marsh continue to bat aggressively and the partnership between them has crossed fifty.
14:13 hrs IST: Watson continues to bat well. He smashes Ashwin down the ground as Australia move to 57/1.
14:10 hrs IST: Missed run-out chance! Watson slams a low full toss to mid on and sets off for a risky single, Shikhar Dhawan misses at the bowler's end,
14:07 hrs IST: Watson is taking the attack to the bowlers. He smashes Nehra for two consecutive boundaries.
14:04 hrs IST: Bumrah gives away 10 runs in one ball as Watson smashes two boundaries off free hits. Australia 37/1 after four overs.
14:01 hrs IST: Bumrah's pace has gone up over 140 kmph. However, he bowls a no-ball and Watson crunches the next ball through extra cover. However, Bumrah oversteps again. Two free-hits!
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13:58 hrs IST: WICKET! Ashish Nehra strikes. Lovely bowling, in the corridor outside off and moving away slightly, Khawaja edges it to Dhoni. Usman Khawaja c Dhoni b Nehra 14 (6). Australia 16/1 (2.2 overs).
13:55 hrs IST: Poor start for Jasprit Bumrah. Khawaja slams a three and two consecutive fours as the bowler concedes 14 runs.
13:49 hrs IST: Only one run conceded by Nehra in his first over. Some swing and stump-to-stump bowling.
13:46 hrs IST: Ashish Nehra will open the bowling with one slip in place. Khawaja will take strike and he gets off the mark immediately.
13:43 hrs IST: Out come the Indian fielders and they are in the huddle. This will be the Pink Twenty20, where all the benefits will go to the McGrath foundation that is seeking funds to combat Breast Cancer. Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja come out to the middle.
13:37 hrs IST: Usman Khawaja is making his debut in this match. He has been in magnificent form in this summer across all formats. His last three Twenty20 scores have been 62, 104* and 70 for the Sydney Thunder in the recently concluded Big Bash League.
13:34 hrs IST: If India win the series 3-0, they will become the new world number one in World Twenty20s, displacing the West Indies. Already, India are number one in Tests following England's 1-2 series victory against South Africa recently.
13:31 hrs IST: Earlier in the day, the Australian Women's Team finally salvaged some pride as they defeated India by 15 runs. However, they have lost the series 1-2. Will the Australian Men's Team manage to salvage some pride?
13:24 hrs IST: Once again some changes for Australia. Some forced, some necessary. Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the match due to a hamstring strain which he suffered in Melbourne. Usman Khawaja makes his debut along with Cameron Bancroft. India are unchanged. Here are the playing XIs.
Australia: Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson(c), Cameron Bancroft(w), Travis Head, Cameron Boyce, Andrew Tye, Scott Boland, Shaun Tait
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra
13:20 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the third and final Twenty20 international in Sydney between Australia and India. The latest news is that Australia have won the toss and will bat.
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At the start of the Australian tour, there was gloom and doom in the Indian camp. The bowlers had lost direction and were leaking runs, the batting was too dependent on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while. The fielding too was below par. In all, it seemed India's tour Down Under would become a lesson in disaster.(India Aim for Clean Sweep)
However, come the Twenty20 series and suddenly, the tables have been turned dramatically. Australia's batting, bowling and fielding have completely crumbled. Catches have been dropped, only six wickets taken in two matches and a batting that has floundered against spin.
Heading into the final match in Sydney, the venue for India's turnaround on the tour, the advantage is firmly with them. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team will be eyeing a whitewash and ensure that they head into the Twenty20 season with tremendous confidence.
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Total Control
Following India's historic victory at Melbourne, Dhoni remarked that he felt in total control. In the ODI series, he was struggling because his bowlers were leaking runs consistently. In the Twenty20s, the bowlers have executed their plans to perfection and this has given the Indian team a shot in the arm.(Dhoni Rules Out Experimentation)
"As a captain, I feel more in control if the bowlers are executing their plans well, whether they are spinners or fast bowlers," Dhoni said.
Combined with disciplined bowling, the batting looks in great shape. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to have a golden summer. Kohli has already hit six fifties on this tour, prompting Sunil Gavaskar to say that Kohli is batting like he is from a different planet. Such has been the dominance of Rohit and Kohli that the other batsmen like Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya have not gotten a chance. However, Dhoni has ruled out any scope for experimentation
Australia in Total Shambles
The bowling is in poor shape, the fielders have dropped chances while the batting continues to struggle. With the absence of many key players and most players preferring the tour of New Zealand, Australia's Twenty20 series is in jeopardy.
With the constant changes in the team, there is no settled composition. During the last two games, Australia's bowlers ran out of ideas as they conceded over 180 both times. While batting, after a decent start, they have floundered in the middle overs against spin.(Watson Rues Struggle vs Spinners)
The Melbourne loss also resulted in their skipper Aaron Finch suffering a hamstring injury. This has ruled him out of the Sydney match and Shane Watson will captain the team. With six changes done during the Melbourne Twenty20, Australia might make more changes in the team
After the end of seven limited overs matches on this tour, Australia are currently 4-3 on the head-to-head count. However, should India win the Sydney match, they will have achieved a whitewash and not Australia. A win on Sunday means that India will head into their home Twenty20 campaign, which includes the World Twenty20, high on confidence.