India win 3rd ODI but lose series against Australia

India managed to keep their nose ahead at key moments to defeat Australia by 13 runs at the Manuka Oval on Wednesday to win the third ODI of the series.

Australia, by virtue of having won the first two matches, won the series 2-1. The teams now move on to the three-match T20Is series starting from Friday at the same venue.

Batting first for the first time in the series, India were five down in 32 overs and were looking at another sub-par total. However, Hardik Pandya had other ideas and carved a career-best 92 off just 76 balls. Together with Ravindra Jadeja who added 66 off just 50 balls, Pandya made sure India put in a fighting total.

Australia’s reply followed the same path as their visitors with captain Aaron Finch guiding the early parts with a measured knock of 75. He received good support – in patches – from Moises Henriques and debutante Cameron Green both chipping in with 20s. Even after losing quick wickets, Glenn Maxwell’s aggressive 59 off just 38 made sure the Aussies were in the hunt.

Maxwell added 52 runs for the sixth wicket with Alex Carey, but the latter’s run-out in the 38th over brought India back into the contest. For a change, the Indian seamers led by Jasprit Bumrah and the returning Shardul Thakur kept taking crucial wickets to peg the hosts back. Jadeja contributed with a key wicket (Finch) and a smart catch (Green) to show his worth to the Indian side that managed to win an ODI after five successive losses.

Captain Kohli was elated at the change of fortunes and spoke of the same during the presentation ceremony. He said: “It's particularly pleasing that we were under the pump for the first half of our innings, and second half of Australia's, and we fought back both times. 

"We were able to put Australia under pressure because of that fact as well. I would have liked to go on for a bit longer, but we had a great partnership between Hardik and Jadeja. It was exactly what the team needed to get that boost, even though we've lost the series. We played with heart and desire, and that's what you need to do in Australia.”

Australia’s captain Finch was happy with the performances and the series win. He said: “We fought really well today, just fell a little short. Obviously, great partnership between Hardik and Jadeja, we might have been in a good position if we'd nabbed one of them early. 

"I thought Cameron Green came in and made an impact with ball and bat, and showed he belongs at the international level. Ashton Agar played well too, so it was good to get them in and get some information on them.”

Steven Smith was adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ for his twin centuries in the first two matches.

Scores: India 302/5 (Pandya 92*, Jadeja 66*, Kohli 63, Agar 2/44) beat Australia 289 all out (Finch 75, Maxwell 59, Thakur 3/51, Bumrah 2/43) by 13 runs.