India vs Australia, Highlights 3rd ODI: MS Dhoni Special Gives India 1st Bilateral ODI Series Win In Australia
Highlights India vs Australia 3rd ODI: India beat Australia by seven wickets at the MCG to clinch the ODI series.
MS Dhoni smashed an unbeaten knock of 87 runs, while Kedar Jadhav scored 61 (not out) as India beat Australia by seven wickets in Melbourne to clinch the three-match One Day International series 2-1 on Friday. Dhoni and Jadhav shared an unbeaten 121-run stand for the fourth-wicket to help India create history Down Under. It is India's first-ever ODI bilateral series triumph in Australia. In the chase of 231, India lost their vice-captain Rohit Sharma early for nine runs, but Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli contributed with 23 and 46 runs respectively. For Australia, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle and Marcus Stoinis claimed a wicket each but couldn't defend the small total. Earlier, Yuzvendra Chahal claimed six wickets, his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, as India bundled out Australia for 230 runs in 48.4 overs in the third and final match of the series. Peter Handscomb top-scored for Australia with 58 runs off 63 balls. Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with two wickets each for India. Recently, India had won their first ever Test series in Australia. In the ODI series, Australia won the first match in Sydney by 34 runs and India won the second in Adelaide by six wickets. India had never won a bilateral ODI series on Australian soil before, and their only series wins in the 50-over format came in 1985 (World Championship of Cricket) and 2008 (CB Series). With this, India have finished the 2018-19 tour without losing a series Down Under. (SCORECARD)
Highlights Between India vs Australia 3rd ODI, straight from Melbourne Cricket Ground.
16:20 IST: That brings an end to the three-match ODI series between India and Australia. Thank you for joining us for the live coverage from Melbourne.
What a run-chase. The Dhoni-Jadhav duo take #TeamIndia to a thumping 7-wicket victory. India take the series 2-1 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vb4fZ0xwR9
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
16:16 IST: India win by seven wickets. Kedar Jadhav hits the winning boundary as India beat Australia by seven wickets to win the three-match ODI series 2-1. Jadhav was unbeaten on 61 runs along with MS Dhoni not out at 87.
16:13 IST: FOUR! The scores are level now. India are just one run away from the victory. It will be India's first ever bilateral ODI series win in Australia.
16:11 IST: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav lofts it with great control. It was a slower delivery from Peter Siddle and Jadhav makes the best of it.Â
16:06 IST: Fifty up for Kedar Jadhav! He replaced Ambati Rayudu in the playing eleven for the series decider. India reach 217/3 in 48 overs, need 14 runs in 12 balls.
16:03 IST: FOUR! MS Dhoni finds the gap to get a boundary at deep backward square leg. Â
16:02 IST: Not out! Kedar Jadhav is safe. He's eyeing his fourth ODI fifty.
15:59 IST: MS Dhoni dropped. Aaron Finch is the culprit. But he throws the ball back to run out Kedar Jadhav. Referred to upstairs.
15:57 IST: MS Dhoni pulls it to fine leg for a single, will keep the strike. India are 204/3, need 27 runs in 18 balls.
15:54 IST: 200 up for India. The visitors are still 31 runs away from the victory at the MCG.
15:51 IST: End of the over! 11 runs from the 46th over by Peter Siddle. India still need 33 runs in 24 balls.
15:46 IST: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav pierces the gap through covers to get a boundary for India.Â
15:44 IST: Peter Siddle replaces Adam Zampa. India need 44 runs in 30 balls.
15:42 IST: FOUR! MS Dhoni pulls it with elegance to drive it across the boundary rope at fine leg.
15:38 IST: Adam Zampa bowls an impressively economical over to conclude his spell in Melbourne. Just one runs from the 44th over. India 179/3, need 52 runs off 36 balls.
15:35 IST: End of the over! MS Dhoni takes a quick single to keep the strike. India are 178/3 in 43 overs, need 53 runs to win.
15:33 IST: 3 runs! MS Dhoni deflects it to the third man for quick runs. Kedar Jadhav helps him with excellent running between the wickets.
15:31 IST: Marcus Stoinis replaces Adam Zampa.
15:29 IST: Not out! Australia lose their review as the ball-tracking shows the ball was missing the stumps.
15:27 IST: Review-time! MS Dhoni is the man in question. Jhye Richardson and Aaron Finch seem confident.
15:24 IST: Fit-again MS Dhoni continues for India.
15:22 IST: Indian physio is out to check MS Dhoni.
15:20 IST: Six runs from the over. India are 171/3 in 41 overs, need 60 runs to win.Â
15:17 IST: Adam Zampa comes back into the attack. He has two overs left in his 10-over quota.
15:14 IST: 2 runs! That brings up 50-run partnership between MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav. India are much in control at the moment with Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja yet to bat.
15:10 IST: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav stretches his muscles, lofts it over the mid-on for a six but ends up with an impressive boundary. India are 158/3 in 38.4 overs, need 73 runs to win.
15:07 IST: FIFTY! MS Dhoni hits his 70th ODI half-century off 74 balls. India are 150/3 in 38 overs, need 81 runs to win. It is a third consecutive fifty in the series by Dhoni.Â
15:00 IST: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav being lucky, gets some bonus runs here. India are 147/3 in 37 overs, need 84 runs to win.
14:55 IST: Three runs! MS Dhoni pushes it to deep extra cover for three runs. Kedar Jadhav needs to match up the pace of Dhoni.
14:49 IST: Time for drinks! Captain Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni stitched a 50-run stand to put India in a commanding position.
14:46 IST: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav concludes the 34th over with a boundary. It was short and wide from Billy Stanlake. Jadhav takes his time and plays a cut shot to guide it away through the cover region for a boundary.
14:38 IST: Adam Zampa to bowl from the other end.Â
14:37 IST: End of the over! Just three runs from the over, including two from extras. India are 120/3 in 32 overs, need 111 runs to win.
14:29 IST: Kedar Jadhav comes to the crease.
14:27 IST: WICKET! Big wicket for Australia. Captain Vuurat Kohli departs for 46 runs. Jhye Richardson traps the big fish. He misses out on his 49th ODI fifty. It was a thick edge off the delivery by Richardson and wicket-keeper Alex Carey makes no mistake.
14:21 IST: FOUR! That brings up 50-run partnership between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Dhoni edged but the ball went past the wicket-keeper for some bonus runs.
14:19 IST: Jhye Richardson starts with a maiden over. Australia are 104/2 in 28 overs.
14:16 IST:Â Jhye Richardson is back into the attack.
14:15 IST: Three runs! MS Dhoni takes three runs to keep the strike. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman is making the best of the huge MCG.Â
14:12 IST: 100 up for India. Virat Kohli (41*) and MS Dhoni (27*) look determined to take India past the victory line in Melbourne.Â
14:04 IST: FOUR! MS Dhoni impresses with a pull shot. Guides the ball confidently through midwicket for a boundary.
13:58 IST: FOUR! MS Dhoni steps out of the crease and smashes it down the ground for a boundary. India are 83/2 in 22.3 overs.Â
13:54 IST: NOT OUT! Adam Zampa missed the chance as the third umpire shows not out.
13:53 IST: Is MS Dhoni gone? He's running too quick between the wickets today. The umpires have referred it upstairs.
13:48 IST: End of the over! Just four runs from the over by Adam Zampa. India are 73/2 in 20 overs, need 158 runs to win.Â
13:45 IST: Adam Zampa is back into the attack.
13:42 IST: Three runs! Sweetly timed shot by MS Dhoni. He gets his second triple in the innings, gets to eight in as many balls.Â
13:37 IST: Three runs! Excellent running between the wickets. MS Dhoni drives it to long-on for three runs. India get to 63 for two in 17.1 overs.
13:34 IST: MS Dhoni dropped on zero by Glenn Maxwell. The wicketkeeper-batsman led India to the victory in the second ODI in Adelaide. Can he play another crucial knock for the team today in Melbourne?
13:32 IST: MS Dhoni comes to bat at number four.
13:30 IST: CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Marcus Stoinis strikes to get Shikhar Dhawan for 23. This brings an end to the 44-run partnership.Â
13:29 IST: Marcus Stoinis replaces Billy Stanlake.
13:28 IST: End of the over! Billy Stanlake bowls another exciting over, three runs come off it. India are 57/1 in 16 overs. The visitors are still 174 runs away from the target with nine wickets in hand.
13:19 IST: FOUR! Virat Kohli flicks it away to deep square leg for a boundary. It brings up 50 runs from India in 13.4 overs.
13:17 IST: FOUR! Virat Kohli gets on the top of the bounce to get a boundary for India.
13:14 IST: Spinner Adam Zampa comes into the attack.
13:13 IST: FOUR! A boundary concludes the 12th over by Billy Stanlake. Virat Kohli edged and dropped by Peter Handscomb at first slip. And the ball goes past third man for a boundary.Â
13:09 IST: India are still in a better position as Australia were 32/2 at this stage. India are 33/1 in 11 overs with Shikhar Dhawan (15*) and Virat Kohli (9*) in charge.
13:06 IST: Glenn Maxwell to bowl from the other end.
13:05 IST: Billy Stanlake concedes just one run. Australia are 26 with a loss of one wicket after 10 overs.
13:02 IST:Â Billy Stanlake comes into the attack.
13:00 IST: Shikhar Dhawan (12*) and Virat Kohli (4*) are watchful in the chase of 231 runs. India have already lost one of their openers early, another quick wicket will put the visitors in trouble at the MCG.
12:57 IST: End of the over! India are 23/1 in eight overs, need 208 runs to win.Â
12:53 IST: Virat Kohli has 24 centuries to his name while chasing for Team India. He had scored a hundred in India's series-levelling win in Adelaide on Tuesday. Is he going to score another one today?
12:50 IST: Chasing master Virat Kohli comes to the crease.
12:48 IST: WICKET! India lose their first wicket. Rohit Sharma departs for nine. Peter Siddle strikes early as Shaun Marsh takes a stunner at first slip. India are 15/1, need 216 runs to win.
12:46 IST: FOUR! Rohit Sharma flicks it to square leg to get the first boundary for India. It takes India to 15 without loss in 5.3 overs.
12:42 IST: As far as history is concerned, Australia have defended a record-lowest total of 165 against the Windies at the MCG in past.
12:40 IST: End of the over! Rohit Sharma (2*) and Shikhar Dhawan (2*) are off to a cautious start as India are 4 without loss in four overs.
12:36 IST: Jhye Richardson follows it up with another economical over. Just two runs off it.Â
12:33 IST: Peter Siddle finishes up an exciting maiden over. India are one without loss after first two overs.
12:31 IST: Rohit Sharma is safe! Australia have retained the review but the Indian vice-captain might cause damage in the overs to come.Â
12:29 IST: Review time! Australia opt for review. Rohit Sharma is the man in question.
12:23 IST: The players are out in the middle to continue the play in Melbourne. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will start India's chase of 231 runs. Jhye Richardson to open the attack for Australia.
12:20 IST: The covers are coming off at the MCG. We might get to see some action in a while.
12:15 IST: It's raining in Melbourne and the covers are back on.
Innings Break!
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
A clinical performance from the bowlers and Australia are all out for 230 in the 3rd and final ODI. Chahal with his best bowling figures of 6/42
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/dEhgylCU47
11:49 IST: WICKET! Mohammed Shami claimed his second wicket in Billy Stanlake (0). And that's all for the home team. For India, Yuzvendra Chahal claimed career-best figures of 6/42. Australia all out for 230 in 48.4 overs.Â
11:44 IST: WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal gets his sixth wicket, dismisses Adam Zampa for eight runs. It is by far the best figures by an Indian at MCG.
11:39 IST:Â Peter Siddle comes to the crease.
That's a 5-wkt haul for @yuzi_chahal#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GReuwxIjIu
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
11:37 IST: WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal claims his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. Peter Handscomb departs for 58. Australia have lost their review.
11:32 IST: End of the over! Nine runs from the over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Australia are 216 for seven with five more overs to go.
11:28 IST:Â Adam Zampa comes to the crease.
11:27 IST: WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal claims his fourth wicket, removes Jhye Richardson for 16. That brings an end to the 45-run partnership.
11:19 IST:Â Mohammed Shami is back into the attack.
FIFTY! A vital knock from Peter Handscomb as he brings up his second half-century of the series: https://t.co/6xmi9N8VsW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/m7uChHPfuP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
11:18 IST: FIFTY! Peter Handscomb hits his third ODI half-century, second in the ongoing series, off 57 balls. Â
11:16 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal replaces Vijay Shankar.
11:15 IST: Again a single to conclude the over. Peter Handscomb, on 48, will keep the strike. Australia are 193/6 in 41 overs.
11:10 IST: Peter Handscomb takes a single to keep the strike. He would look to complete his third ODI half-century in the next over. Australia are 190/6 in 40 overs.
11:08 IST: FOUR! Clean hit for a boundary. Peter Handscomb lofts it up to deep midwicket for some quick runs. Vijay Shankar has not been expensive on his debut so far, but he's yet to claim his maiden wicket in ODI cricket.
11:05 IST: End of the over! Bhuvneshwar Kumar concedes just one run. Australia are 182/6 in 39 overs.
11:02 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl from the other end.
11:00 IST: Vijay Shankar comes back into the attack.
10:58 IST: With the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Shami completed 250 international wickets. He has 144 Test wickets and eight T20I wickets besides 98 ODI wickets.
10:51 IST: FOUR! Outside edge but the ball goes wide of Rohit Sharma at first slip. Peter Handscomb gets the advantage of quick outfield at the MCG. Australia reach 168 for six in 35.3 overs.
10:49 IST: Jhye Richardson comes to the crease.
10:47 IST: Drinks-break! Mohammed Shami joined the party at the stroke of the drink-break. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal put up his best show to claim three wickets. Australia are in deep trouble at the moment.10:44 IST: WICKET! A marvelous catch by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With this, Mohammed Shami claims his first wicket in Glenn Maxwell (26). Australia lose their sixth wicket.
10:42 IST: FOUR! Lucky. Glenn Maxwell takes his change, gets bonus runs. It was a well-directed bouncer from Mohammed Shami.Â
10:41 IST: Mohammed Shami replaces Ravindra Jadeja.
10:39 IST: FOUR! Glenn Maxwell concludes the over with a boundary, takes Australia to 153/5 in 34 overs.
10:37 IST: FOUR! Glenn Maxwell is trying to take the charge as soon as possible. Yuzvendra Chahal bowls a full toss delivery and Maxwell lofts it over the midwicket for a boundary.
10:33 IST: FOUR! Glenn Maxwell pulls it through midwicket to get a much-needed boundary.
10:32 IST: In the air... But safe! Peter Handscomb gets a lifeline.Â
10:30 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal missed both the two ODIs in the series Down Under. But with such an impressive spell, he has made his presence felt ahead of New Zealand series and ICC World Cup.
10:24 IST:Â Glenn Maxwell comes to the crease. Two slips in place for the right-hander.
10:22 IST: WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal claimed his third wicket, removes Marcus Stoinis for 10. Australia are 123 for five in 29.3 overs. Rohit Sharma takes a stunner, a lowly catch at first slip, to help Chahal claim his third wicket on return.
10:15 IST: FOUR! Australia get past the nelson with a boundary. A much-needed boundary for the home team. Marcus Stoinis drives it firmly, defeating Ravindra Jadeja at mid-on, to get a boundary.
10:11 IST: End of the 26th over. Yuzvendra Chahal concedes just four runs. Australia are 109 for four.
Chahal's first over in the game and he picks up the key wickets of Marsh and Khawaja.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
Australia 101/4 in 23.5 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/D2dq5UyfAO
10:04 IST:Â Marcus Stoinis to bat at number six.
10:02 IST: WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes again, dismisses Usman Khawaja for 34. Australia are 101 for four in 23.4 overs.
10:00 IST: Peter Handscomb comes to the crease.
09:59 IST: WICKET! Stumped! Australia lose their third wicket. Shaun Marsh departs for 39. Yuzvendra Chahal claims a wicket in the second ball of his first over in Australia.
09:57 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack.
09:55 IST: FOUR! Impressive reverse sweep by Usman Khawaja to pick up a boundary square of the wicket.
09:51 IST: Eight runs from the 21st over by Ravindra Jadeja. Australia get to 88 for two with Shaun March (35*) and Usman Khawaja (28*) solid at the crease.Â
09:46 IST: FOUR! Shaun Marsh delights with another similar pull shot to get quick runs for his team. Australia reach 77/2 in 19.4 overs.
09:44 IST: FOUR! Shaun Marsh lofts it up through the midwicket to get a one-bounce four. A poor delivery punished by Australia for the very first time.Â
09:42 IST: Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack.Â
09:40 IST: End of the over! Just four runs from the over by Kedar Jadhav. Australia are 59/2 in 18 overs.
09:36 IST: Time for drinks! It has been a highly successful session so far for India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed both the openers before Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja stabilised Australia to take them past 50 in 17 overs.
Drinks break
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
Australia 55/2 in 17 overs https://t.co/6p112Lhq83 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/EDJP4mhzbq
09:33 IST: FOUR! Shaun Marsh pulls it nicely over the midwicket for a boundary. Vijay Shankar concedes his first boundary in ODIs.
09:32 IST: 50 up for Australia in 16.1 overs.
09:30 IST: Shaun Marsh Dropped! MS Dhoni misjudges it from behind the stumps. It was a thin outside edge. Shaun Marsh gets a lifeline on 11.
09:27 IST: There have been 50 balls since last boundary for Australia. India are in complete control at the moment.
09:22 IST: End of the over! Vijay Shankar bowls another economical over. Just two runs off it. Australia are 39/2 in 13 overs.
09:18 IST: Kedar Jadhav to bowl from the other end.
09:14 IST: Vijay Shankar concedes just two runs in his first over. Australia are 32 for two after 11 overs.
09:11 IST: Vijay Shankar to bowl his first over in the One Day International cricket.
09:06 IST:Â Shaun Marsh comes to the crease.
09:04 IST: WICKET! Aaron Finch departs for 14 runs. Australia lose their second wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes again to trap Finch LBW. The dismal form of Australian captain continues. He had lost his wicket for identical scores of six in previous two matches.
08:58 IST: Eight over gone! Australia are 27/1 with Aaron Finch (14*) and Usman Khawaja (7*) in charge.
08:53 IST: FOUR! Aaron Finch is being lucky here, gets a bonus boundary at third man.
08:51 IST: Four runs! Aaron Finch predicts the ball well ahead of its arrival and drives it through the cover region for quick runs. Excellent running between the wickets.
08:49 IST: MS Dhoni comes close to the stumps, observing Aaron Finch stand outside the crease.
08:46 IST:Â FOUR! Usman Khawaja finally gets off to the mark after nine deliveries. It was too short and too wide from Mohammed Shami and Khawaja makes the most of it.
08:40 IST: Just one run from the over by Mohammed Shami. Australia are nine with a loss of one wicket after four overs.
08:35 IST:Â Usman Khawaja comes to the crease.
08:33 IST: WICKET! Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes early to get Alex Carey. Bhuvneshwar bowls a short of a length delivery, gets a thick edge and Virat Kohli makes no mistake at second slip. Carey managed to score just five runs for Australia, including a boundary. Australia are 8-1 in 2.5 overs.
08:28 IST: FOUR! Good control. Alex Carey plays it on the front foot and pulls it through the mid-wicket for a boundary. Australia are five without loss in 1.3 overs.
08:27 IST: Mohammed Shami comes into the attack.
08:26 IST: End of the over! Aaron Finch has survived the first over. Australia are one without loss after the first over.
08:23 IST: Ready to resume!Â
UPDATE - Play set to resume at 8.25 AM IST. Dinner break reduced to 30 minutes.#AUSvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
08:20 IST: UPDATE! The covers are coming off. The play is expected to start in five minutes.
UPDATE: Two balls in the game and it has started to rain again. Play suspended.#AUSvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
08:02 IST: The rain has interrupted the play right after the first two balls by Bhvneshwar Kumar. The rain is not too heavy but the covers are on. Australia are one without loss in 0.2 overs.
08:00 IST: Players are out in the middle. Alex Carey and Aaron Finch will Australia's innings at the MCG. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to open the bowling attack.
07:48 IST: "There might be a touch of moisture but it's still a good surface. It might be slow to start with, but it won't change too much during the course of the game. I think It's been an exciting couple of weeks, a great win in Sydney and a really good game in Adelaide. We're ready to go for the series decider. I do hope to just get back to my natural game to be honest," says Australian captain Aaron Finch at the toss.Â
07:44Â IST: "It's quite overcast. It's going to be stop-start, with the rain around, and as a batsman we are never in, so that's the idea. We've had a good tour and we want to finish on a high. Levelling the series was important, now both the teams are set up for the decider. All the boys are motivated for the game," says Virat Kohli after winning the toss.
07:39 IST:Â Australia Playing XI: Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa
07:35 IST: India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal
India have won the toss and they will BOWL first #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/McalG2KwxG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
07:31 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bowl first. India have made three changes to their playing eleven. Mohammed Siraj makes way for Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal comes in place of Kuldeep Yadav and Kedar Jadhav replaces Ambati Rayudu. For Australia, Billy Stanlake comes in for Jason Behrendorff and Adam Zampa replaces Nathan Lyon.
07:28 IST: We are now a few minutes away from the toss. The play is expected to start on scheduled time.
07:24 IST: Toss will be at 7:30 PM IST if there's no further rain, the BCCI confirms.
Toss at 1 PM local if no further rain. Play to start at scheduled time #AUSvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
07:20 IST: Vijay Shankar is all set to make his ODI debut for India.
Vijay Shanker is all set to make his debut for #TeamIndia#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ErqruCeXBs
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
07:18 IST: Covers are on! We might see a delayed start in Melbourne.
A glum afternoon here at Melbourne. Covers are on at the moment.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4cYYBvhUAg
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019
A few morning showers in Melbourne means the covers are on at the MCG, but the forecast for the rest of the day is looking. Toss for #AUSvIND series decider in about an hour pic.twitter.com/uOswgdVoLE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
07:15 IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final match of the three-match ODI series between India and Australia in Melbourne.
India started their tour with a three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series that ended in a 1-1 draw. It was followed by a historic first-ever Test series win for India on Australian soil. Virat Kohli became the first Indian and Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia as the visitors defeated the hosts by a 2-1 margin. While India will take winning momentum into the third ODI, their only worry at the moment is the fifth bowling option. So far in the series, senior pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami have been impressive, while the two left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have provided control and breakthroughs in the middle overs.
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, India have used full-time seamers as their fifth bowling option both at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Adelaide Oval. Khaleel Ahmed (0-55) and Mohammed Siraj (0-76) though failed to impress in their singular outings. It becomes a particularly crucial aspect considering that India will go in with the same batting line-up as in the first two matches. With Virat Kohli not keen on bowling Ambati Rayudu again in the series, they need to get their five-bowler attack right on the money. Seam bowling all-rounder Vijay Shankar and leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are in contention and both had a rigorous workout during the optional training session on Thursday at the MCG.
India Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Melbourne Cricket Ground