IND vs AUS 2023: India vs Australia, 3rd ODI - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Australia finally managed to make a comeback in the ODI series vs India as they beat them by 66 runs in the third and final match on Wednesday, September 27 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. After opting to bat first, the Pat Cummins-led side posted a monumental score of 352/7 in their allotted 50 overs riding on brilliant knocks from David Warner (56 off 34), Mitchell Marsh (96 off 84), Steve Smith (74 off 61) and Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 58).

In reply, India were bundled out for 286 with captain Rohit Sharma (81 off 57), Virat Kohli (56 off 61) and Shreyas Iyer (48 off 43) playing good knocks. Let’s take a look at the talking points of the match:

1. David Warner scores third consecutive fifty of the series

The Australian opener played a quick-fire knock of 56 off 34 balls smashing six fours and four sixes in his innings to get his team off to a great start. Notably, it was his third consecutive fifty of the series as he finished as the second-highest run scorer in the three-match affair with 161 runs from three innings at an average of 89.

2. Rohit Sharma's six-hitting show

The Indian captain came out to bat in the fourth gear as he began taking on the bowlers right from the word go. Sharma led from the front playing a scintillating innings of 81 off 57 balls smashing five fours and six sixes in his innings.

3. Glenn Maxwell steals the show with his four-fer

Playing in his first game of the series, the Australian all-rounder was the destroyer in chief of the Indian batting lineup as he scalped four wickets giving just 40 runs in his ten-over spell. His four-fer included prized scalps of Rohit Sharma, Washington Sundar, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. 

Winning Captain, Pat Cummins, Australia said:

 I must say I'm pretty happy to bowl in the night than in the heat. Both have not played a lot, Maxwell four-fer and Starcy looked in great rhythm. Trav Head won't be fit for the start of the tournament. I will be pretty worried about opening the bowling against them [on Warner-Mitch Marsh]. Ash Agar is back home with a calf and Head won't be fit for the next couple of weeks. Happy as it was the first hit where we have had almost a full-strength team.

Losing Captain, Rohit Sharma, India said:

I'm pretty happy, of course I would like to go all the way along but if I'm hitting like that I'm happy. The last 7-8 ODIs we have played really well, we have been challenged under different conditions and different teams, I thought we responded to that challenge pretty well. Unfortunately not the result we wanted today. [on Bumrah] I'm pretty happy, more importantly how he feels body-wise, he has got so much skill, one bad game can happen to anyone. How he feels mentally and body-wise is key for us and that's looking good for us. When we talk about the 15 we are very clear what we want. We are not confused, we know where we are headed as a team. It's a team sport and we want everyone to come and play their part - that's how we win championships. It's about looking after the body and try and stay fresh for the next one and half months.

Player of the Match, Glenn Maxwell, India said:

Not too bad, is it! It has been a lot of hard work. The South Africa tour was a bit of a setback, but sped things up as well, got back home and got an injection. I don't have any travel issues unlike the others. I look fresh. It's nice to chip in, if Mitch Marsh wasthere on the field, we would have chopped and changed [on the bowling]. Since he was not there, had to bowl more. That will be the role of the allrounders in this World Cup. We are all trying to be as flexible as possible. We have a super-flexible list and it's good to get some momentum before the World Cup.