Australia vs India, 2020-21: 3rd ODI – Who Said What

India and Australia were up against each other for the final ODI in Canberra, and India tried to put its best foot forward to turn the game in its favour. India avoided the whitewash by winning the match by 13 runs. Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to come up with the bat first, this time. While willows first in the hand, Men in Blue posted a fine target of 301 runs as Ravindra Jadeja (66 of 60) and Hardik Pandya (92 of 76) wreaked havoc towards the end.

Pandya was adjudged as the player of the match for brilliant contribution with the bat.  Stunner Steve Smith was declared as the man of the series for two straight centuries in ODI matches. Skipper Virat Kohli also helped his team to push to the very best as he played a significant knock of 63 runs of 78 balls. Shubman Gill was the new man in the ODI squad and added his contribution of 33 runs for India. Ashton Agar turned the best man with the ball as he picked two wickets at an impressive economy of 4.40.

The bowling section of India stood tall

While chasing the target, Kangaroos couldn’t set the tone too well as India clinched the wicket in the power play. Aaron Finch’s inning of 75 runs in 82 balls became the very base of Australia’s chase game. Glenn Maxwell also played a sublime knock of 59 runs, and the game was much in Australia’s favour until he was on crease. Debutant T Natarajan etched his mark too well as he gave India a breakthrough early in the game. He got two wickets on his name. Shardul Thakur weaved his magic as he named three scalps on his name with an impressive economy of 5.10.

Winning skipper, Virat Kohli said:

We were put under the pump in the first half and in the second half of Australia’s innings. Shubman and others in the team, it brings in a bit freshness. I think the pitch was much better for the bowlers. So the confident goes up. Playing international cricket for so long, that’s the challenge you face. We were clinical with the ball and in the field. Happy with the performance and hopefully we take the momentum forward

Player of the match, Hardik Pandya said:

It’s fantastic. Been working really hard to make sure I play for my country, so I’m really happy to be playing this series. Natarajan is quite a story, quite an inspiration with the background he’s come from. You need to be on your toes to compete against Australia. I feel that you always have that extra edge in you when you play against Australia, you want to face up to that challenge.”

Player of the series, Steve Smith said:

They have been close back to back games. A good series of cricket against a quality outfit. I think it did a more with the new ball. The quicks bowled well upfront, it was a bit different as compared to the SCG. You just get to keep going forward and take the confidence. Hopefully I’ll contribute in the upcoming games. Don’t have any plan at the moment, hopefully a day off.

Losing skipper, Aaron Finch said:

 I thought we fought really well. It was a great partnership between Hardik and Jadeja. If we got one of those wickets, we could have chased 240 max. Agar bowled beautifully, it was a good day in terms of the changes we made. The impact that the two spinners are having, that’s important. It’s nice when the guys in the top order contribute and then Maxy (Maxwell) can come in and do his thing with Carey and other guys. Hopefully he’s ready for the T20Is. Was just a niggle.