India vs Australia, 3rd ODI - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Australia concluded the three-match ODI series with a result in their favour in the third ODI match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The tourists emerged victorious by 21 runs despite a decent fight by team India.

The Men in Blue were pretty steady in their chase of 270 runs; however, the rival bowling unit operated in tandem during crunch situations and snatched the game away from them. Needless to say, Adam Zampa was the man who struck the crucial blows upon which the rest of the bowling unit capitalized from thereon in the chase. 

While team India fought till the end of the contest, taking the match down to the final over, a series win did not seem to be written in their fate. With the conclusion of the multi-format series, team India clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, whereas the Aussies stamped their authority, coming from behind and winning the ODI series. Notably, team India lost their first international series at home after four years. Prior to the series loss, the home side won 24 series' and obtained two draws during this period.

Here are the talking points from the 3rd ODI:

Hardik Pandya decks top-order in first innings

In the first innings of the contest, the Aussies seemed to be in their element as openers Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh kept the scoreboard ticking. The duo raised 68 runs between them and looked to convert it into a more significant score. However, deputy of the side, Hardik Pandya, seemed to have other ideas as he swiftly decked the openers in quick time. Adding to this, he also sent skipper Steve Smith back to the pavilion for nought thereby returning a three-wicket haul.

Virat Kohli’s fifty kept India on the hunt

Despite losing wickets during the chase of 270 runs, flamboyant batter Virat Kohli got the vital runs for his side to keep the Men in Blue on the hunt. Furthermore, he notched up a half-century in 61 balls, including two boundaries and one maximum. When the batter began shifting gears, a mistimed shot off Ashton Agar’s delivery saw him head back to the pavilion for a score of 54 off 72 balls.

Adam Zampa's sensational four-wicket haul

Team India were relatively steady in their run chase despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Following Kohli’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya took the onus of guiding the side to a potential win. However, the skipper brought in Zampa into the attack, who straightaway delivered, getting the scalps of the duo. He returned a majestic four-wicket haul which tilted the momentum in their favour and led to Australia’s series win.

Losing skipper Rohit Sharma said- 

"I don't think it was too many runs. The wicket was a little challenging towards the second half. I don't think we batted well. Partnerships are crucial, and we failed to do that today. The mode of dismissals... you are born and brought up on these wickets. Sometimes you need to apply yourself, and give yourself a chance. It was important for one batter to carry on and take the game deep. But all of us were trying our best; it just didn't happen. The nine ODIs we have played since January, we can take a lot of positives from that. It is a collective failure. In five months' time, we'll be playing in these conditions. You've got to give credit to the Australians as well."

Winning skipper Steve Smith said-

It's been an enjoyable tour. We didn't play our best cricket, good enough to get over the line. This wicket was entirely different, we left a few out there with the bat. The spinners bowled beautifully, really good performance. (Turning point) It was a real grind in the field. The way the tail stuck and got us to 269, got us to a nice total.

Player of the match Adam Zampa said-

"I have had some success here. It is a tough place to come; always a huge challenge. I have had some reward... Ashton Agar changed the game. I don't think I deserve this tonight. Kudos to the guys who bowled before me as well. We had trust in each other, in our process and in our game plan."

Player of the series Mitchell Marsh said-

"It is just natural aggression when I'm batting. Growing up at the WACA... I have thouroughly enjoyed it. I was really glad that I could come in and perform. I'm coming off an extended break. Sometimes in international cricket, you need time to do that. I have come fresh, and provided energy"