India clinched ODI series against Australia; grabs No. 1 ranking

Indore, September 25: Indian openers Rohit, Ajinkya Rahane’s confident start and all-rounder Hardik Pandya sensational knock helped India to win the third ODI against Australia on Sunday. Notably, India also clinched the 5 ODI series by 3-0 and grabbed the number one spot in ICC rankings.

 

Chasing a commanding total of 294 runs for a win, India reached the target with 13 balls to spare and five wickets in hand. Openers Rohit Sharma made 71 and Ajikya Rahane contributed 70 to set the platform for the win with their 131-run partnership while Hardik Pandya led the side to victory with his crucial 78 run knock off 72 balls.

However, India lost 4 wickets in quick succession after a good partnership but Hardik Pandya kept his nerve in control took the game away from Australia. After openers returning to pavilion Captain Virat Kohli made 28 runs while Kedar Jadhav caught behind after scoring only 2 runs. Pandya found a good partner in Manish Pandey who scored 36 as they went about their business calmly and shared a 78-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Earlier, Australian opener Aaron Finch's 124 run innings helped the visitors to score 293 for six in stipulated 50 overs. India had won the first and second encounters played at Chennai and Kolkata by convincing margins.

Interestingly, India has maintained their unbeaten run in Indore and have now recorded sixth consecutive ODI series win since June 2016. India, already number one in the Test format replaced South Africa at the top of ODI ranking table by taking their tally to 120 points.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 293 for six in 50 overs (Aaron Finch 124, Steve Smith 63; Jasprit Bumrah 2/52).

India: 294 for five in 47.5 overs (Hardik Pandya 78, Rohit Sharma 71, Ajinkya Rahane 70; Pat Cummins 2/54)