Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal provided a brilliant record bowling spell in the first innings of the third and final ODI of the series at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne) that helped the visiting side India to bundle out the hosts Australia for just 230 runs (48.4 overs).
After winning the toss, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to bowl first. Once again, the Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided a brilliant start after dismissing both the openers at very early. The opener and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey was caught slip for just 5 runs while the skipper and the other opener Aaron Finch was trapped for lbw after scoring just 14 runs.
Later, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh had the 73-run partnership for the third wicket. But after it was broken by the Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, the Australian side lost their next wickets in regular intervals. From the beginning to end, Chahal consistently put the hosts’ batsmen into trouble and bagged a total of six wickets in this game. He finished with the impressive bowling figure of 10-0-42-6.
From 100/2, Australia went down to 161/6. After that, Peter Handscomb stretched the innings and provided a crucial 45-run partnership with Jhye Richardson for the seventh wicket. Handscomb completed his half-century in 57 balls and played a very good knock of 58 off 63 balls (2 fours) while Richardson was dismissed at earlier after scoring 16 runs.
After the tail-enders were wrapped up quickly, Australia were bundled out for 230 runs (48.4 overs). While Handscomb scored the highest runs in that innings, Khawaja (34 runs) and Marsh (39 runs) were the only other batsmen to play the 30+ knocks. Glenn Maxwell was the only other batsman who reached the 20-run mark as he scored 26 off 19 balls before losing his wicket.
Apart from Chahal’s brilliant bowling spell, the Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28) and Mohammed Shami (2/47) bagged two wickets each.
Some key stats of the innings:
- Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal had a bowling figure of 10-0-42-6. Best ODI bowling figure on the Australian soil. The previous record holder was also an Indian and he was Ajit Agarkar who also had the bowling figure of 9.3-1-42-6 against Australia at Melbourne on 9 January 2004 but Chahal ended with the better economy rate.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Great effort from the Indian bowlers to bowl out Australia for 230. @yuzi_chahal was outstanding to pick up 6 wickets. Now for our batsman to chase this and win the one day series as well.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 18, 2019
Excellent spell from Chahal. Has pulled the game India's way. Took wickets at the top, bowled deep into the innings, did everything asked of him today.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2019
Big supporter of Jadeja as a Test spinner but cringe every time he plays ahead of Chahal and Kuldeep in white ball cricket.#AUSvIND
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/ViratHunts_/status/1086138084238929920?s=20
Kohli's mastermind.
Drop Chahal.
Get him hungry enough.
Play him in the decider.
Chahal picks up five.
He will next play in the World Cup semi-final.#AUSvIND
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) January 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/eld2_0/status/1086143061430661120?s=20
https://twitter.com/brainfadesmith/status/1086142911178108928?s=20
Another 1986 retro performance by Australia. #AUSvIND
— Rick Eyre (threads.net/@rickeyrecricket) (@rickeyrecricket) January 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/ThatCricketBuff/status/1086143262052757504?s=20
MasterStroke From Kohli to Play Chahal and give rest to Kuldeep in the Decider👊👌🏻
Kohli Captaincy 👌🏻👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻#AUSvIND #Chahal #ViratKohli
— Cricket Freak (@SwingandDrive) January 18, 2019
