Virat Kohli’s 41st ODI century wasn’t enough for India as Australia triumphed by 32 runs in the third ODI at Ranchi.
The visitors’ success was centred on a 193-run opening stand from Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja that helped Australia finish on 313/5. In response, only Kohli was truly able to stand up to the Australian attack, another rampaging hundred added to his burgeoning collection of international tons.
Nevertheless, Kohli’s dismissal in the 38th over, with 96 runs still needed to give India the series win, saw to Australia regaining their ascendancy, as they went on to bowl the home side out for 281.
While India elected to field, they would not have enjoyed their start to the day. Khawaja and Finch put on Australia’s seventh-highest opening partnership in ODI cricket to give Australia a strong platform.
For Finch, it was a much-needed return to form, with a high score of 41 across his previous nine innings in the format. A 12th ODI century would have been well-deserved for the right-hander, but he was out lbw to Kuldeep Yadav to give India a breakthrough.
Khawaja on the other hand, would have been desperate to avoid the fate of Finch and go past his existing career-best ODI total of 98. He managed to do so, a single off Ravindra Jadeja taking him to his first hundred in coloured clothing for Australia.
Glenn Maxwell’s promotion to No. 3 in the batting order resulted in a 31-ball 47, and while Shaun Marsh (7) and Peter Handscomb (0) perished cheaply, useful cameos from Marcus Stoinis (31*) and Alex Carey (21*) took Australia to a competitive total.
Pat Cummins, who collected four wickets in the previous match, was excellent once more, removing both Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu, while another cheap dismissal for Shikhar Dhawan saw India struggling on 27/3.
Another day, another @imVkohli century! ?
Number 41 in ODIs, his 25th in a chase! Unreal. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ejTxRKh6h6
— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2019
Cue, a rescue job from Kohli. The Indian skipper’s love for the chase is well known and from early on in his innings, it seemed inevitable that the personal landmark of three figures would be reached once more.
His 95-ball stay at the crease saw to 16 boundaries and one maximum, with cameos from MS Dhoni (26) and Kedhar Jadhav (26) giving him useful company. The game seemed to be hinging on whether Australia could find a way through the Indian talisman, and it was Adam Zampa – fast becoming a steady nuisance for Kohli – who intervened.
An attempted whip through the leg-side saw to Kohli’s stumps castled, and the departure of Vijay Shankar for 32 a few overs later ensured gave Australia the advantage. Cummins and Jhye Richardson made sure the tail failed to threaten Australia’s total, and both finished with figures of 3/37 to help Australia to their first win of the series.
