Australia defeated India by 21 runs in the third and final ODI in Chennai to clinch the ODI series 2-1. The Aussies produced a valiant effort and fought well throughout the series, ending it on a high. Chasing a target of 270 runs, India lost momentum in the final 10 overs and bundled out for 248. Aussie spinner Adam Zampa starred with a four-wicket haul.
Batting first, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh gave their side a brilliant start by adding 68 runs. Hardik Pandya drew the first blood by dismissing Head for 33. Pandya then dismissed Australian captain Steve Smith for a duck. In his next over, Panyda cleaned up well-set Marsh (47) to bring India back into the game.
David Warner (23) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) added 40 runs for the fourth wicket before Kuldeep Yadav bagged both batters. Kuldeep then bowled a ripper to clean up Alex Carey (38). Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott chipped in with 25 and 26 respectively, helping their side to post a total of 269.
India in response got off to a strong start as Rohit Sharma (30) and Shubman Gill (37) added 65 runs for the opening wicket. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul (32) built up a 69-run partnership before Rahul got out trying to find the fence. Kohli batted well to bring up his fifty. But Ashton Agar changed the course of the game by dismissing Kohli (54) and Suryakumar Yadav in consecutive deliveries. Hardik Pandya played a fighting run a ball 40. However, India kept losing at regular intervals and eventually lost the match.
