Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s third fifty on the trot along with an impeccable cameo from Kedar Jadhav at the end guided India to an outstanding ODI series win against Australia in their own backyard on Friday. Chasing a modest total of 231 runs, Dhoni (87*) and Kedar Jadhav (61*) shared an unbeaten 121-run stand for the fourth wicket to beat the Aussies by 7 wickets and win the 3-match ODI 2-1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
India yet again lacked a solid start from the Indian openers—Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Unlike his performances in the last two games, the Indian vice-captain couldn’t stand long at the crease. In the sixth over, Peter Siddle removed Rohit on 9, handing over the first blood to his team.
Dhawan continued his struggle on the Aussie soil but failed to get rid of the rough patch. After stitching a 44-run partnership with captain Kohli, he fell prey to Marcus Stoinis in the 17th over. The left-hander drove the ball hard but ended up getting caught by the bowler.
Marcus Stoinis with the big wicket of Shikhar Dhawan!
Stream live via Kayo HERE: https://t.co/6xmi9N8VsW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/OTCp2cpn09
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
despite having a decent start with the ball, the Aussies showcased a few examples of sloppy fielding. They dropped two catches (including MS Dhoni’s on the very first ball) and a couple of run outs which could have removed the Indian skipper early.
Australia have certainly had their chances to dismiss both Kohli and Dhoni… #CloseMatters#AUSvIND | @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/GpJ7HSnQZD
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
Dhoni’s unbeaten 87 off 114 balls was a testimony to his high-quality match awareness. His role going into the business end of his illustrious career is that of an anchor, who takes the game deep. He performed his role to perfection with the world-class exhibition of running between the wickets in what could well be his last match on the Australian soil.
Not to forget the ‘Man of the Series’ award for a hat-trick of half-centuries and two coming in winning causes.
Earlier, Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 6-42 as Australia were bowled out for 230 runs (48.4 overs). He matched Ajit Agarkar’s 6-42 in 2004 as he recorded the joint best-ever ODI figures on Australian soil. In doing so, he also improved on his previous best of 5-22 against South Africa at Centurion in January 2018.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 230 all out in 48.4 overs (Peter Handscomb 58, Shaun Marsh 39, Yuzvendra Chahal 6/42)
India: 234 for 3 in 49.2 overs. (MS Dhoni 87 not out, K Jadhav 61 not out, V Kohli 46; J Richardson 1/27).
