IND v AUS, 3rd ODI: India fail Maxwell spin test in final World Cup tune-up as Australia avoid clean sweep

India’s exceptional World Cup 2023 buildup hit a hurdle on Wednesday, September 27 as Rohit Sharma’s side crumbled under the pressure of a steep chase.

In the 3rd and final ODI of a 3-match series. Australia successfully defended 352 as they sealed an 66-run win and avoided a clean sweep in the series, which was the final set of tune-up fixtures for the Cricket World Cup, starting October 5.

Australia ended a 5-match losing streak as the return of their big names, including bowling hero Glenn Maxwell, helped them head into the World Cup with a win on the board.

Glenn Maxwell, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff and was playing his first competitive match since July 10, did not trouble the scorers much with the bat but he ran through the batting unit with a 4-wicket haul, getting the big names in the India camp. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hit fifties but the two superstars were not able to carry on and get the job done.

India had a stunning run in the lead-up to the World Cup as they won the Asia Cup, dominating Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India found answers to concerning questions over their combination and injury issues as their returning stars put on impressive shows in the Asia Cup and in the first 2 ODIs. However, the inability to chase down a big score on a good batting pitch in Rajkot is a warning sign for Rohit Sharma’s side.

The defeat can be treated as a blip in what has been an impressive build-up to the World Cup but their mainstays crumbling under pressure and not being able to play the big knock when needed is something that the team management would want to look into and fix in the coming days.

INDIA MISS BIG KNOCK
India did not have Shubman Gill, who was rested after the sensational run in the first two ODIs while Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami were also not available. Middle-order batter Ishan Kishan missed out on the contest due to illness while India also rested R Ashwin.

However, their big names Rohit, Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav returned to action after having missed the first two ODIs.

Despite the absence of Gill, Hardik and Ishan, India had the opportunity to flaunt their batting prowess and go for the steep chase. Rohit Sharma opened with Washington Sundar but the all-rounder was not able to get going.

Rohit got off to a sensational start 31 balls as he was hitting sixes at will against a full-strength Australian bowling attack. However, the India captain fell to Glenn Maxwell after a 70-run partnership. It was a sensational return catch from Maxwell, who ended Rohit’s charge as the India skipper was looking set for a big one.

Virat Kohli kept himself busy in the middle, not letting young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha settle in. However, he succumbed to scoreboard pressure, throwing his wicket away while playing a loose shot against Maxwell.

India’s in-form middle-order of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav were not able to do the bulk of the job in the steep chase. Maxwell sent back Iyer, who looked good for his 48 but he was undone by Maxwell.

KL Rahul looked scratchy for the first time since his return to action in Asia Cup Super 4s while Suryakumar played a loose shot to end his good run in the ODI series against Australia.

Ravindra Jadeja hit some big blows but he lacked support as Washington played at the top and India missed reliable batters at No. 8 and below.

MARNUS, MARSH IMPRESS
Earlier in the day, Australia came out all guns blazing as David Warner and Mitchell Marsh tore into the Indian new-ball attack of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Warner hit 56 in just 34 balls in a 78-run opening stand which was broken by Prasidh Krishna.

However, Marsh and Steve Smith added a 137-run stand for the 2nd wickets as both batters went after the Indian bowlers.

Marsh, who hit 13 boundaries and 3 sixes, fell for 96 while trying to get to his century with a boundary against Kuldeep Yadav.

Marnus Labuschagne, meanwhile, put his hand up and all but sealed a berth in the World Cup with a stroke-filled 72. He stayed till the end and made sure Australia went past 350 even as Jasprit Bumrah led a recovery from the Indian bowlers.

Labuschagne emerged as the highest run-getter for Australia in ODIs in 2023 as he is set to replace injured Travis Head in the World Cup squad.

Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he picked up 3 wickets in the middle overs to stall Australia’s charge. Washington was economical with the ball, giving away just 48 runs in 10 overs.