India's dominance as the top one-day team is well established now. The hosts are sitting right on the top of ICC ODI rankings, which speaks volumes for this current side. Everyone in the team played their part well as that helped the hosts beat the Aussies 4-1. Indian players will be hungry for more action as soon they will be facing the Kangaroos in a 3 match T20I series. Here are some game-changing moments that took place in the ODI series.
1st ODI: Hardik Pandya’s onslaught on Adam Zampa at Chennai
The much hyped series between India & Australia started on a positive note for the visitors as the top order collapsed for just 11 runs on the board. A small partnership between Rohit Sharma & Kedar Jadhav gave the hosts momentum before India were reduced to 87/5. Hardik Pandya ensured with Dhoni that India needed a big partnership to put a fighting total. Pandya cut loose in the 37th over when he smacked Adam Zampa for 23 runs that included a four & hat-trick of sixes. This was the 4th time that Hardik Pandya had hit 3 consecutive sixes in International cricket, an incredible feat at a very young age. It helped India reach 281/7 & that proved to be a little too much for Australia in the end.
2nd ODI: Kuldeep Yadav's hat-trick at Kolkata
It was a day to remember for young Chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav (3/54) as he picked up a hat-trick in the 33rd over, which helped the hosts dismantle the Aussie batting line-up in a difficult run chase at Eden Gardens. With this landmark, he stole the limelight by becoming only the third Indian to pick up a hat-trick in ODIs after Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma. The 22-year old was praised by cricketing legends after achieving this feat and getting it at Eden Gardens would have been special as he enjoyed success with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2017 here.
3rd ODI: Top-Notch Death Bowling Performance at Indore
Australia were at their best as Aaron Finch (124) took the attack to the Indian bowlers. However, it was his wicket that turned the innings & momentum for the home side. From 221/1 in 293/6 with a strong middle order failing to capitalize on the opportunity where they had a chance to reach 330+. The death bowling from the Indian bowlers ensured that the visitors could not score heavily with regular wickets halting the momentum. The last 10 overs yielded just 59 runs & 4 wickets.
4th ODI - Quick wickets of Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli at Bengaluru
Chasing a challenging total of 335, Rohit (65) & Rahane (53) gave India the perfect start with a century stand. After the dismissal of Rahane, it was the chase master, Kohli who came out to the middle & along with Rohit kept the scoreboard ticking & it looked like Australia were in for another difficult game. Unfortunately, their partnership didn’t last too long as a run-out where both batsmen were stranded at the same end saw Rohit back to the pavilion. Less than 2 overs later, Kohli chopped one on to the stumps to give Australia the edge & eventually win the game by 21 runs.
5th ODI - Spinners dominate proceedings in middle overs at Ranchi
The spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Kedar Jadhav & Axar Patel spun the web around Australia batsmen as they managed just the 94 runs for the loss of 3 wickets from the 12th over till the 34th over. They kept piling up the pressure with tight line & length, giving no chance to quality batsmen like Steven Smith, David Warner & Peter Handscomb. Australia could manage just 242 runs on the board which never helped their cause against a strong Indian batting line-up.
India and Australia will battle it out in a 3-match T20I series starting on 7th October at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. The hosts will hope to continue their impressive run in the shorter format as well.
