Team India has registered a consolatory win over Australia in the final ODI of the three-match series as the hosts won the series 2-1 though the Indian team has also managed to get off the mark in World Cup Super League. A lot of credit for the win should go to Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja who added 150 runs for the 6th wicket as India post a competitive score of 302 and then the bowlers did enough to defend the total to win the game by 13 runs.
After winning the toss, Virat Kohli decided to bat first but they had a slow start as to everyone’s surprise, the pitch had a bounce in it and the ball turned as well. Shikhar Dhawan chipped one straight to short extra cover, while, Shubman Gill looked solid as he added 56 runs with Kohli for the second wicket, but the youngster got out after a good start. Shreyas Iyer’s poor forms continued as he perished quickly and then, India lost their way in the middle overs.
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Kohli looked in imperious form and also got to his 60th half-century in the process, but was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood for the third time to leave India reeling at 152/5 after 32 overs and the hosts were looking for a series whitewash. However, but Hardik Pandy and Ravindra Jadeja had different plans as they added 118 runs in the last 10 overs. Hardik remained unbeaten on 92 off 76, while Jadeja amassed 66* off 50 balls with five fours and three maximums to propel India to 302/5 after 50 overs.
Team India had the momentum at the end of the first innings as a result, the debutant T Natarajan sending back Marnus Labuschagne early. Aaron Finch rode on him as he was dropped in powerplay twice. However, Steve Smith endured a rare failure with Shardul Thakur strangling him down the leg-side.
Moises Henriques and Finch managed to add 61 runs for the third wicket before the all-rounder mistimed a pull to get caught at short mid-wicket off Thakur and soon after that, Finch got caught in the deep to give his wicket to Ravindra Jadeja. The debutant Cameron Green then showed heart to spend time out in the middle but eventually dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav to leave Australia struggling at 158/5.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Takes A Stunner To Send Back Cameron Green
This is where Glenn Maxwell decided to take control as he took the attack to the Indian bowlers and once again had some fun in the middle. Alex Carey got out after scoring 38 but Maxwell and Ashton Agar carry forward the momentum as Maxwell churned out 18 runs in the 44th over off Natarajan. With the equation coming down to 39 runs off six overs, Virat brought back Jasprit Bumrah into the attack and he delivered by casting dangerous Maxwell with a sensational yorker and the onus was now on Agar with Sean Abbott at the other end.
However, Shardul Thakur got the better of the latter while Natarajan picked Agar’s wicket of the very next ball to seal the deal. Jasprit Bumrah, the best bowler of the day, fittingly finished the proceedings then as India won the game by 13 runs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
This will mean a lot to this team and with the super league every game is relevant. So there is nothing like a dead rubber anymore. Liked the intensity and Nattu and Shardul deserve a lot of credit. The delivery of the innings was Bumrah to Maxwell.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 2, 2020
India’s win on the same day in 2000 and today 😉🙂#INDvsAUS .. Dream start for @Natarajan_91 and how good were #Jadeja and #Pandya https://t.co/cmGIPrsT1t
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) December 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1334096572984922113?s=20
#AusvInd pic.twitter.com/CyI8YQkAol
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 2, 2020
When you are chasing 300+ score… everyone feels the pressure… #Australia is no different. #AUSvIND
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 2, 2020
Not always are chances created = chances taken (wickets). #1stpowerplay #PacersUnion #INDvsAUS
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) December 2, 2020
An inspiration , more power to him https://t.co/3l1jlZYzLL
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 2, 2020
Superb partnership @imjadeja and @hardikpandya7 job done.. backing our bowlers to come good today .. Chak do fatte shero @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 2, 2020
Always pleasing to see a young pacer doing well in his debut match. More so if he is a left-armer like Natarajan. Well played India and great debut for yorker specialist!
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 2, 2020
well, India did score 300+ more often than Australia in this series #AUSvsIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 2, 2020
Ending the ODI series on high. Good momentum for T20 series 🔥🇮🇳🔥#greatshow #AUSvsIND
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) December 2, 2020
It needed something special from Bumrah to get past Maxwell’s who’s in great form
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 2, 2020