Australia beat India by 66 runs in the third and final ODI in Rajkot on September 27, 2023, to clinch the series 2-1. This was a disappointing result for India, who had already won the first two ODIs and were looking to sweep the series.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a good start, with David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne putting on a 100-run partnership for the first wicket. Warner was eventually dismissed for 53, but Labuschagne continued on to score 132, his highest score in ODIs.
Steve Smith also played a fine innings of 74, and Australia finished their innings on 244/3. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking two wickets for 45 runs.
India’s chase didn’t get off to the best start, as they lost both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early on. However, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a 100-run partnership for the third wicket.
Iyer was eventually dismissed for 81, but Kohli continued on to score a brilliant 112, his 44th ODI century. He was eventually dismissed with India just 13 runs away from victory, but Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya hit the winning runs to see India home by 5 wickets.
However, in the end, it was Australia who came out on top, thanks to a superb all-round performance. Mitchell Marsh was named the Man of the Match for his all-round performance, which included a knock of 96 and two wickets.
This was a disappointing result for India, but they can take pride in the fact that they won the series 2-1. Australia will be pleased with their performance in the final ODI, and they will be looking to continue their good form in the upcoming T20I series.
Highlights from the match:
- Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 244/3 in their innings.
- Marnus Labuschagne was the top scorer for Australia, with 132 runs.
- Steve Smith also played a fine innings of 74 runs.
- India’s chase got off to a bad start, as they lost both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early on.
- Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a 100-run partnership for the third wicket.
- Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 112 runs, but was eventually dismissed with India just 13 runs away from victory.
- Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya hit the winning runs to see India home by 5 wickets.
- Australia won the match by 66 runs and clinched the series 2-1.
Player of the match: Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
