India becomes top-ranking ODI team after win over Australia

India has beaten Australia by five wickets in the third ODI to clinch the series 3-0.

Indian cricket player Rohit Sharma bats during the third one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Indore, India, Sunday. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade

India beat Australia in the third ODI to clinch the five-match series 3-0 on Sunday. Batting first, Australia scored 293 for loss of six wickets in their allotted 50 overs. At one stage, Australia looked well-positioned to go past 300, thanks to an impressive century by Aaron Finch who scored 124, but were restricted by the Indian bowlers who made a good recovery in the final ten overs of the first innings.

A brilliant all-round performance by the Indian team helped them record their sixth consecutive ODI series win since last year.

Indian cricket player Ajinkya Rahane bats during the third one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Indore, India, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2 Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade

Indian batters were on the money right from the word go. Openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma laid a strong foundationwith a 131-run partnership. In his innings of 71, Sharma gave a glimpse of his prowess with the bat, hitting four mighty sixes. Ajinkya Rahane played a knock of 70.

Rohit sharma showed his class again 71(62). #TeamIndia #INDvAUS #Indore #ChampionMoments pic.twitter.com/mEUpvPLLfo — LOLLY Cricket🏏 (@LollyCricket) September 24, 2017

Though skipper Virat Kohli didn’t last long and got out for 28 and Kedar Jadhav could only score 2 runs before he too perished, all-rounder Hardik Pandya saw India through in 47^th over with his innings of 78 off 72 balls. While he comfortably rotated strike, he also did what has done best in this series, smacking the ball out of the park, hitting four sixes off Ashton Agar.

Australia cricket player Aaron Finch bats during the third one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Indore, India, Sunday. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade

 

During the Australian innings, opener Aaron Finch’s 124 run innings seemed to have piled up troubles for India as it put the visitors in a commanding position with the scorecard reading 232 for two. However, the Aussie batting lineup derailed after that and failed to capitalise on the strong foundation provided by the top order.

Captain Steve Smith contributed 63 and opener David Warner scored 42.

For more news and updates, follow SBS Punjabi on Facebook and Twitter.