Australia won the three-match series 2-1 after defeating India by 21 runs in the third and final one-day international in Chennai. The Aussies put on a great performance as they bowled out India for 248 while holding India to 270 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in hot and muggy circumstances.
As a result of their victory, they rose to the top spot in the one-day standings. On the other side, the Men in Blue lost their first domestic bilateral ODI series since 2019. Interestingly, Australia defeated India 3-2 in a bilateral ODI series in 2019 —the last time an international side did so. India has won seven consecutive domestic bilateral ODI matches after losing the series four years ago.
India vs Australia – Match Summary
In the decisive game in Chennai, Australia batted first after winning the toss. The visitors got off to a strong start thanks to opening pair Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, who put up 68 for the first wicket. Nonetheless, when the stand was broken, Australia continued to lose wickets consistently.
Hardik Pandya caught Steve Smith for a duck, while David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Marcus Stoinis were unable to capitalize on their chances. In their attempt to fend off India’s spinners, all three lost their wickets in quick succession. Alex Carey, the Australian keeper-batter, scored a resolute 38 before getting run over by Kuldeep Yadav.
Australia nearly avoided being bowled out for fewer than 250 runs thanks to a 42-run eighth-wicket stand between Ashton Agar and Sean Abbott. Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa scored 20 runs for the last wicket to help Australia reach a respectable total of 269 runs.
Indian batting lineup failed against Zampa’s fierce bowling spell
The openers for India got off to a strong start, scoring 65 runs before being split up. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped the chase get back on track after losing both of the openers soon. The Indian pair added 69 runs in 15.3 overs, but they were never able to establish a dominant position on a track that grew slowly over time.
A pull shot off Agar produced Kohli’s maiden boundary in the 21st delivery, and two balls later, he struck a majestic six off Agar over extra cover. Rahul blasted Zampa over the head for a four in the 45th ball, which was his maiden boundary.
The final 15 overs of the game were an anticlimax as Australian spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar took a combined six Indian wickets while conceding just 86 runs in their combined 20 overs. With Rahul’s wicket, Adam Zampa ended the partnership. Then, the game was turned on its head after the in-form Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav lost their wickets off consecutive deliveries from Ashton Agar.
In an attempt to return to a quicker one-off Agar, the best T20 hitter in the world, Suryakumar Yadav, suffered his third consecutive golden duck. For the seventh wicket, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja scored 33 runs, but both players were dismissed by Zampa when they attempted to slog the leg-spinner. The Men in Blue eventually were dismissed for 248 in 49.1 overs, dropping their first ODI series at home in four years.