India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Rohit, Kohli & Iyer Power India to Consolation Win
In a high-scoring thriller at Rajkot, Team India registered a dominant 7-wicket win over Australia in the 3rd ODI. However, Australia sealed the series 2-1, proving their supremacy ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivered standout performances, ensuring India ended the series on a high.
Australia Set a Challenging 353-Run Target
Opting to bat first, Australia posted 352/7, powered by Mitchell Marsh’s 96 (84 balls) and David Warner’s 56. Steve Smith (74) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) further solidified the innings, putting India under pressure.
Bowling Highlights:
– Jasprit Bumrah marked his ODI return with a tight spell (1/43).
– Kuldeep Yadav (2/48) and Mohammed Shami (1/67) restricted Australia late in the innings.
Despite the high total, India’s strong batting lineup kept the chase within reach.
Rohit Sharma’s Explosive 81 off 57 Balls
India’s chase got off to a blistering start as Rohit Sharma dismantled the Australian attack, racing to 81 in just 57 deliveries (5 fours, 6 sixes). His aggressive knock set the tone, with a 31-ball fifty putting India ahead early.
Though Shubman Gill (21) and Suryakumar Yadav (8) fell cheaply, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer ensured no further setbacks.
Virat Kohli’s Unbeaten 56 Seals the Victory
Virat Kohli played a composed innings (56 off 61 balls), anchoring the chase alongside Shreyas Iyer (48). Their unbeaten 100+ partnership guided India home in 48.4 overs, with Kohli hitting the winning boundary.
Key Moments:
– Rohit’s powerplay dominance (50+ in 6 overs).
– Kohli-Iyer’s calm finish under pressure.
Series Recap & World Cup Takeaways
Australia’s Positives:
– Mitchell Marsh (Player of the Series) with 194 runs.
– Adam Zampa’s 6 wickets across 3 games.
India’s Takeaways:
– Rohit & Kohli back in form.
– Bumrah’s economical return.
– Middle-order concerns (Suryakumar’s struggles).
With the World Cup approaching, both teams will refine their strategies for the mega event.
Final Scorecard:
– AUS: 352/7 (Marsh 96, Smith 74)
– IND: 354/3 in 48.4 overs (Rohit 81, Kohli 56)
– Result: India won by 7 wickets
– Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
– Player of the Series:* Mitchell Marsh
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