IND v AUS, 3rd ODI: Australia win ODI series after Hardik Pandya’s all-round heroics in vain in Chennai

India faced a harsh reality check in the World Cup year as they lost an ODI series at home for the first time since March 2019.

Rohit Sharma’s men were beaten 2-1 in a 3-match ODI series by Australia after India failed to chase 270 in the series decider in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22.

India lost an ODI series to Bangladesh in December 2022 but they bounced back, clean-sweeping Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home in 3-match series at home.

Despite losing the series opener in Mumbai, Australia bounced back to win the last two ODIs in Visakhapatnam and Chennai to complete the ODI series win. Notably, India’s last ODI series defeat at home also came against Australia. A touring side, led by Aaron Finch, fought back from 0-2 to win a 5-match series 3-2 in March 2019.

Despite a fifty from Virat Kohli and a brisk 40 from Hardik Pandya, India managed fell short of the target by 21 runs. Adam Zampa was brilliant with the ball on a typical spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch, picking up 4 wickets in his 10-over spell.

Spinners Zampa and Ashton Agar gave away just 86 runs and picked up 6 wickets between them, proving to be the difference between the two sides. India were bundled out for 248 in 49.1 overs.

Mohammed Shami threw his bat around after India’s hopes were gone when they lost Ravindra Jadeja and slipped to 225 for 8 in the 46th over but his efforts (14 off 10) went in vain as he fell in the 48th over to Marcus Stonis.

KOHLI THROWS IT AWAY AFTER FIFTY
India started strongly in their chase of 270. Rohit Sharma was watchful to begin with but unleashed some stirring shots as Shubman Gill got regular boundaries. The pair added 65 for the first wicket before Rohit Sharma fell to Sean Abbott for a 17-ball 30. The India captain’s innings was studded with two fours and two sixes.

Virat Kohli walked in to the crease to do what he has done so well for well over a decade. But India suffered another setback when Shubman Gill perished to Adam Zampa for 37. KL Rahul was sent up the order at No.4 and after a slow start, pressed on the accelerator. Kohli and Rahul added 69 for the third wicket but Adam Zampa played spoilsport for the hosts again. He picked his second wicket when he snapped up KL Rahul for 32.

Axar Patel was sent in ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and even Hardik Pandya but he did not last long. A brilliant piece of fielding from Steve Smith saw Axar Patel being run out for 2.

Hardik has been a superb all-rounder for India and he showed why he is such a valuable asset in the shorter formats. After a splendid effort with the ball, Hardik stepped up with the bat for the second time in less than a week.

Virat Kohli scored his 65th half-century but he was dismissed for 54 when Ashton Agar tossed up the ball slightly, forcing an error from the Indian superstar. Off the very next ball, Suryakumar Yadav was left stunned. Agar was on a hat-trick which was denied by Ravindra Jadeja but what could not be avoided was an unwanted record for Suryakumar Yadav who bagged a hat-trick of golden ducks. He is in fact the first batter to be dismissed for ducks in all matches of an ODI series.

The pressure kept building for India as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja joined forces once again in a tricky chase.

However, Steve Smith marshaled his troops wonderfully well and Adam Zampa responded to his call, picking up the wickets of both the all-rounders to hit the nail in the coffin.

HARDIK, KULDEEP SHINE WITH BALL

Australia got off to a cracking start on a pitch that was expected to aid the spinners in the first innings under the scorching Chennai sun. Mitchell Marsh came to the third ODI after hitting half-centuries in the first two matches in Mumbai and Vizag and on Wednesday, he looked pristine again. Meanwhile, Travis Head who had played some stunning shots in a 10-wicket victory over India on Sunday, brought his A game to the park for the series decider.

However, Hardik Pandya came into the attack and dented Australia immediately. He picked three wickets in three overs to bring India back into the game when it looked like the Aussies were running away to a daunting position.

Hardik first struck to remove Travis Head in the 11th over when the Australian opener tried to upper cut a poor short ball and edged it to Kuldeep Yadav at deep square. In his next over, Hardik removed Steve Smith for a duck and then proceeded to remove Mitchell Marsh for 47.

David Warner, who returned to the side for the final ODI, batted in the middle-order for only the second time in ODIs. He came out and looked impressive but another lose shot cost Australia. The visitors had recovered from Hardik Pandya’s rapid wickets but Warner played against the spin to Kuldeep Yadav as Hardik Pandya completed an easy catch.

Fortunately for Australia, even though there was no real big innings from any of their batters, there were several middling contributions which helped them to a healthy 269 off 49 overs. It was a healthy total because of Australia’s impressive bowling line-up and India’s fragile batting.

Kuldeep Yadav, like Hardik Pandya, finished with 3 wickets while Mohammed Siraj picked 2 for 37 off his 7 overs. India would be disappointed with the way they allowed the Australian lower-order to get away and break the shackles.