Explain IND vs AUS 3rd ODI in 500 words
The third One Day International (ODI) match between India and Australia took place on 2nd December 2020 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia. This match was a crucial one as it was the decider of the three-match ODI series, with both teams having won one match each.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Their opening batsmen, Aaron Finch and David Warner, started off strongly, providing a solid foundation for their team. They put up a magnificent partnership of 142 runs before Finch was dismissed for a well-played 75 runs. Warner, on the other hand, continued his brilliant form and went on to score a remarkable century. He scored 83 runs before being caught by Shikhar Dhawan off the bowling of Hardik Pandya. The Australian middle-order couldn't capitalize on the strong start, and they lost wickets at regular intervals. However, a late surge from Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques helped Australia reach a competitive total of 302 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Chasing a target of 303 runs, India got off to a shaky start as they lost their opener Mayank Agarwal early in the innings. However, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Dhawan played a brilliant innings, scoring 96 runs before being caught behind off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood. Kohli, on the other hand, showed his class and played a captain's knock. He scored a magnificent century and became the fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in ODI cricket. Kohli's innings was a masterclass in batting as he played with precision and composure. He was well supported by Hardik Pandya, who played a quickfire innings of 92 runs off just 76 balls. Despite their efforts, India fell short of the target by 13 runs and finished their innings at 289 for the loss of all ten wickets.
The match was a thrilling encounter with both teams displaying exceptional cricketing skills. Australia's batting performance was led by Warner's century, while India's chase was anchored by Kohli's brilliant century. The match also witnessed some outstanding fielding efforts from both teams, with catches being taken at crucial moments.
This match had several noteworthy moments, including Kohli's record-breaking century and Pandya's aggressive batting. It also showcased the competitive spirit and determination of both teams to win the series. The match was a testament to the talent and skill of the players from both sides.
Overall, the third ODI between India and Australia was a high-scoring and closely contested match. The Australian team's strong batting performance and the Indian team's valiant chase made it an exciting encounter for cricket fans. Although India lost the match, they displayed great fighting spirit and proved to be a formidable opponent. The series ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for an exciting T20 series between the two teams.