Australia have finally claimed their first win of the series against India, emerging victorious over the hosts by 21 runs in Bangalore.
Australia’s win was set up by a superb opening stand between David Warner (124 off 119) and Aaron Finch (94 off 96), before a solid all-round effort from the bowlers restricted India to 313, well short of Australia’s 334.
The series might be gone, but Australia will still be out to avoid a whitewash against India when the two sides travel to Bangalore for the fourth ODI. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
Leading 3-0, India have dominated the series, with someone always bailing them out of trouble when needed.
After winning the first match through the Duckworth-Lewis method, they defended 252 in Kolkata, knocking Australia over for just 202.
Australia bowled reasonably well during that match, but their batting failed, and again bit the dust with the series on the line in Indore. In the third, the Aussies went from 2-224 when Aaron Finch got out for 124, to 6-293 at the end of their 50.
In response, both Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma went past 70, piling on 139 for the opening stand, and with the in-form Hardik Pandya following up with 78 from 72 balls, India won by five wickets with more than two overs to spare.
Pandya has 181 runs from the three games, with two half-centuries, while Rahane also has more than any other Australian batsman.
Most concerning is that Finch, who has played one game, is the Aussies’ highest run scorer, going past captain Steve Smith in the last contest – and with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni only hitting their stride once, and failing twice, India are nowhere near their potential.
Further compounding issues, Ashton Agar’s hand injury rules the young spinner out for the rest of the series. To be fair, figures of 2-125 from his 19 overs thus far don’t make for great reading anyway.
Nathan Coulter-Nile has been the tourists’ best and will need to lead from the front again, his series figures sitting at 7 for 153 from 30 overs. If India get away to another good start, it could be a long 50 overs in the field for the Aussies.
Prediction
India are in fine form and even the fact this is a dead rubber won’t change that. As for Australia, they’re a team who would much prefer to be on a plane heading home at this point.
Rain could play its part in the game though, and that’ll make life unpredictable.
India to win. Again.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the fourth ODI from 6pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's where we will leave it, so thanks for joining me on The Roar for our live coverage of this ODI in Australia's tour of India. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Suneer Chowdhary will be back in the chair on Sunday for the fifth and final match of the series. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks Peter.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Aaron Finch named player of the match. David Warner named man of the match. Obviously a distinct difference.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Scorecard
Australia defeat India by 22 runs Toss: Australia to bat Innings of: Australia Batting scorecardDon Freo
Guest
NCN has been so reliable. No substitute for a good brain.
peter chrisp
Guest
Good stuff Scott once again a victory very nice
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
AUSTRALIA WIN BY 22 RUNS Coulter-Nile finishes with a good length ball outside the line of off stump, Shami looks to swing it over the fence, misses and that'll do it. Australia's score proves to be enough, with India unable to chase it down. Pretty good match that. India 8/313 (50) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Full toss from Coulter-Nile and Shami sends it over mid wicket for a boundary. Picked the gap nicely there. India 8/313 (49.5) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Umesh now chips one through the leg side and a direct hit would have had him packing. India 8/309 (49.4) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Umesh Yadav in at 10. Couple of singles worked down the ground as Coulter-Nile keeps his length full. India 8/308 (49.3) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! Caught, Glenn Maxwell (sub), bowled Nathan Coulter-Nile 5 (6) Good length and outside off from Coulter-Nile, with Patel looking to swing it over mid on. He doesn't get it at all well and Maxwell takes the catch on the boundary. India 8/306 (49.1) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nothing from the last, and Cummins will finish with 1 for 59 from his 10. 1 over to go, 29 needed and we just count down the balls now. Australia won't' be getting swept. India 6/306 (49) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Patel now chips one into the leg side and they grab a single as the ball falls in no man's land. India 6/306 (48.5) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Patel can't get anything off the next, then works it to square leg for a couple. Smith continuing to check D/L scores. 30 from 8. India 6/305 (48.4) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Shami hits the next one down the ground as Cummins puts a straight one on a good length. India 6/303 (48.2) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cummins starts with one pitched up at Patel and he just bunts it to cover for a single. India 6/302 (48.1) Australia 5/334 (50)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Mohammed Shami the new man in, but he can't get this first one away, trying to send it past fine leg. 34 from 2 overs needed. India 6/301 (48) Australia 5/334 (50)
peter chrisp
Guest
Good stuff
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! M.S. Dhoni, Bowled Kane Richardson 13 (10) There it is. Another slower ball and Dhoni looks to send it over mid on, but he gets another inside edge and this time it goes back onto his stumps. The zing bails light up and India's chances of winning from here are just about over. India 6/301 (47.5) Australia 5/334 (50)