Highlights India vs Australia, 5th ODI at Nagpur, cricket result: Hosts win by 7 wickets, clinch series 4-1

Virat Kohli (Indian captain): Feels very good. I thought it was a really convincing series win for us. We were under pressure four times, and we came back four times. Really happy the way team played. A lot of positives to come out of this series. It’s become second nature. The management also plays an important part in motivating. They had a chance to play for retaining the No 1 spot, and we did that. Bhuvi and Bumrah have been outstanding for us. That’s been the difference. Everyone in the group is very happy as well. A good headache, you don’t mind that. You might as well have few to pick from. Makes my job as a captain very easy.

Hardik Pandya (Man of the Series): Pretty good. When I went to bat at No 4, got a few runs and the team won the series. there is always a scope for improvement in everything, and I always believe I can improve in everything. It is not easy to do both skills. Learnt a lot from this series and always a pleasure playing against Australia.

Hardik Pandya is the Man of the Series for his all-round performances!

Rohit Sharma scored 125 off 109: I guess thats always been my thing to keep things simple and not try too much and it was worked for me. Having said that nothing comes easy. I know my strengths and weaknesses. Initially it was tough, Australian came onto the stumps compared to the first few games. It was about rotating strikes and stay ahead oif the asking rate. I would love to have a record against everytime. When you know the times are hard and going gets hard you have get your A game and bring everything from you armoury and yes I love to play against Australia.

Rohit Sharma is named the Man of the Match

Australian captain, Steve Smith: Probably around 300 around wicket. Off to good start with Finvy and Davy again. Lost wickets in the middle order in clumps. Disappointed with the results. We need to get the right balance and get consistent performance on the board.  lot of our players have played a lot of cricket in India, can’t use that as an excuse. Still got to try and keep a positive frame of mind. India are a very good cricket team, they’ve got a very good balance. India played good cricket and thoroughly deserve the result. We have to still keep the positive frame of mind. India has got a good mix with good top order and spinners. We have to turnaround in T20 series.

India have secured the No.1 spot in the @MRFWorldwide ODI Team Rankings! #INDvAUS

More: https://t.co/zfhmNkdBpC pic.twitter.com/AmXsaJLZpr

— ICC (@ICC) October 1, 2017

The Indian juggernaut hands a crushing 7-wicket loss to Australia to clinch the series. India never gave the visitors an opening and artfully chased down 243, which never looked like challenge. This is the first time in 2017 that Virat Kohli has not scored a ton in an ODI series. It didn’t matter though as rest of the batsmen inflicted wounds on the Aussie bowlers. India will take a lot of positives out of this series. Hardik Pandya is improving game by game and might win the  Man of the Series award. Bhuvi and Bumrah continued their good work while Chahal and Kuldeep emerged as India’s new spin duo, to name a few. As far as Australia are concerned, one of the few and most important positive they can take from this series is that their ODI side needs a complete revamp.

India clinching the series by 4-1 with many positives in their armory while Australia have to think about their combination before they start preparing for 2019 ODI World Cup. India are now also back to No.1 in ODI rankings eclipsing South Africa.

Australia losing four matches in a bi-lateral ODI series:

South Africa (Thrice)

West Indies

England

India*

Most wins from career’s first 40 ODIs as a captain:

33 – Ricky Ponting

31 – Viv Richards

31 – Clive Lloyd

31 – VIRAT KOHLI*

Australia have now lost 50 ODIs in India – the most they have lost in an overseas country. They have lost 49 ODIs in England so far.

After 42.5 overs,India 243/3 ( Kedar Jadhav 5 , Manish Pandey 11)

Pandey and Jadhav sure take their time to settle at the crease, but Pandey ends it with two swift hits to the boundary in the 43rd over, hammering the ball towards the cow-corner and the long-on fences off the fourth and fifth deliveries of the over as the hosts complete a seven-wicket victory, winning the ODI series 4-1!

FOUR! THAT’S IT! India win by 7 wickets and are back as the No 1 ODI team in the world!

Pandey it is who scores the winning boundary — his second-consecutive — as he hammers it down the ground, with the ball beating the mid-on fielder along the way! Handshakes in the Indian dressing room as the hosts complete a 4-1 dressing down of the Aussies! India 243/3

FOUR! Pandey smacks the ball towards the cow-corner boundary, picking the gap to perfection! India need another 4 to win!  India 239/3

After 42 overs,India 235/3 ( Kedar Jadhav 5 , Manish Pandey 3)

Zampa starts off with a wrong’ un, with the ball travelling dangerously close to Pandey’s stumps. Three singles off this over, with the two batsmen trudging their way to the target. Eight needed off the last eight overs.

After 41 overs,India 232/3 ( Kedar Jadhav 4 , Manish Pandey 1)

Faulkner continues from the other end. Pandey gets off the mark after getting a thick outside edge that carries towards third man, giving him a single. Just one off the over. Looks like Jadhav and Pandey will opt for the calmer approach towards the finish line for now.

After 40 overs,India 231/3 ( Kedar Jadhav 4 , Manish Pandey 0)

Two boundaries and as many wickets. That’s how the last over of the second powerplay unfolds as Zampa gets hit for two boundaries, both towards the cow-corner fence, while removing both Rohit and Kohli. Two new batsmen at the crease now.

FOUR! It seems to be alternating between boundaries and wickets in this over! Jadhav rocks back, and slaps the last ball of the second powerplay towards the cow-corner boundary! India 231/3

The ball change does the trick but it’s far too late. Rohit walks back. The spectators are also leaving the stadium. And oh, by the way, another change at number four for India: Kedar Jadhav.

OUT! That’s two wickets in four balls for Zampa, as Kohli holes out to long-off while looking for a big hit. India 227/3

Kohli c Stoinis b Zampa 39(55)

FOUR! Kohli pulls towards the cow-corner fence, and gets a boundary! Waited for the ball to climb on to him on this occasion, and timed his slog perfectly! India 227/2

OUT! In a bid to end the match in a hurry, Rohit miscues a back-of-length ball from Zampa, and ends up getting caught at deep midwicket! Should hardly deter India’s charge towards the target though. India 223/2

Rohit c Coulter-Nile b Zampa 125(109)

Adam Zampa brought back into the attack in the final over of the second powerplay.

Most sixes in ODI cricket in 2017:

29 – ROHIT SHARMA*

28 – Hardik Pandya

26 – Eoin Morgan

After 39 overs,India 223/1 ( Rohit Sharma 125 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)

The Australians decide to review an unsuccessful appeal for stumping against Kohli. Reviews show the ball travelling quite close to Kohli’s inside edge, with the umpire having to rock and roll several times to check if there was any edge. The captain’s foot is also firmly inside the ground at the time of Wade disturbing the stumps. Rohit launches the ball into the stands beyond the wide long-on boundary off the third delivery, getting the hosts even closer to the target. 11 off the over.

SIX! Rohit seems to be in a hurry to finish this! Pulls a length ball outside off towards wide long-on. Needless to say, he clears the rope by a distance. India 220/1

Rohit Sharma gets runs against Australia for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Amazing display of batsmanship. Usually, we have a habit of seeing the genius of Virat Kohli while chasing but today it was Rohit Sharma who took the leaf out of Kohli’s book to finish the game for India while chasing.

James Faulkner brought back into the attack for the 38th over, replacing Coulter-Nile.

After 38 overs,India 212/1 ( Rohit Sharma 117 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)
 

Nine runs conceded by Finch off his third over, with Kohli rocking on the backfoot, and smacking the ball towards the cow-corner boundary off the fifth delivery. Having crossed the 200-run mark, the Indians now seem to be charging towards the target with full pace.

Go to the left, hare to the right. Rohit Sharma is making the deep square leg fielder dance to his tunes. Rohit often scores at a rapid rate after completing his century. And today is no exception. He has just tonked one over the long on fence.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli pair becomes the 8th Indian pair to add 1000-plus runs against Australia across formats.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli pair becomes the 8th Indian pair to add 1000-plus runs against Australia across formats.

FOUR! Kohli rocks back, and pulls the ball towards the cow-corner boundary! India 211/1

After 37 overs,India 203/1 ( Rohit Sharma 115 , Virat Kohli (C) 26)

Couple of singles exchangedf by Rohit and Kohli off the first two deliveries of the over. Rohit though, decides to take the pacer to the cleaners later in the over, smashing him for a four and a six, with 14 coming off the over.

SIX! Rohit smashes the ball off the final delivery of the 37th over beyond the long-on boundary! Didn’t look as if it came off the middle of the bat either! Now that he has crossed his century, Rohit has decided to unleash the big-hitting beast within him. India 203/1

FOUR! Looks like Rohit is starting to unleash himself now, pulling the third delivery of the 37th over towards the backward square-leg fence to collect his 11th boundary! India 197/1

Most centuries against Australia among Indian players:

9 – Sachin Tendulkar
6 – ROHIT SHARMA*
5 – Virat Kohli

Rohit hobbling on one leg for the last 20 runs or so. But that or the Aussie bowling can’t stop him from him from getting to his ton. He has been scoring at better than a run a ball.  But he was so very keen to get the job done that he slammed Colter Nile over mid-wicket for a six to get to his ton. And in just 93 deliveries. Well done champ.

Rohit plays his best shot to get to his hundred. Play the front foot pull on a loop and cricket fanatics would watch it all day long without complaining..

After 36 overs,India 189/1 ( Rohit Sharma 103 , Virat Kohli (C) 24)

Finch continues from the other end. Stifled appeal for lbw by Finch, though the ball looked like it his Rohit’s hip well outside off. Just two off this over.

After 35 overs,India 187/1 ( Rohit Sharma 102 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Coulter-Nile bowls his eighth over. Powerful drive by Kohli off the first ball, though it rolls straight to a fielder. Rohit fails to connect while attempting a slog towards the leg side, sending a running Kohli back to the non-striker’s crease when the latter was looking for a single. Rohit ultimately brings up his milestone with a precisely-timed pull towards the midwicket boundary, resulting in his third six of the innings! Seven off the over.

SIX! CENTURY NUMBER 14 FOR ROHIT SHARMA! The Indian opener could not have brought up the milestone in a more special manner than pulling it towards the midwicket fence, and clearing it comfortably! India 187/1

Coulter-Nile brought back into the attack from the North End, replacing Cummins.

After 34 overs,India 180/1 ( Rohit Sharma 96 , Virat Kohli (C) 22)

Rohit guides the first ball towards the off side, with a fumble by Cummins outside the circle at point allowing Rohit to come back for a second run. Another six runs off the over. The Indians are setting the chase up quite comfortably right now.

Least innings to score 6000 ODI runs among Indians:

136 – Virat Kohli

147 – Sourav Ganguly 

162 – ROHIT SHARMA* 

167 – MS Dhoni 

170 – Sachin Tendulkar

Useful partnership building between Kohli and Rohit. Australian bowlers and fielders energy levels seem low and defeatist. They seem to be going through the motions and hoping that something will fall in place. Rohit in his 90s. But not really running well. He seems to be struggling. Hopefully it is not an injury

Aaron Finch brought into the attack for the 34th over, replacing Head.

After 33 overs,India 174/1 ( Rohit Sharma 92 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Cummins continues after the drinks break. Singles off the first three deliveries of the over, with Rohit punching the ball off the fourth delivery towards sweeper cover, coming back for a second run, entering the 90s in the process. Six off the over.

Some trouble with Rohit Sharma’s right hamstring. Indian physio Patrick Farhat is on the ground. A couple of fans say that he just wants to relax before accelerating for the ton. Oh, the theories in the stands…

Rohit can change gears as easily as a drop of a hat. That depositing the bowler in the stands for a six that took him to 88 was a case in point. Just four runs off that Head over till the last ball. Suddenly Rohit stepped out and smashed him over midwicket to wreck that over. He now needs to ensure that he gets his hundred. Plenty of overs and a rather easy asking rate should enable him to get there at his convenience

After 32 overs,India 168/1 ( Rohit Sharma 88 , Virat Kohli (C) 18)

Kohli flicks the second ball of the over towards deep midwicket, getting enough time to come back for a second run. Rohit shuffles down the pitch off the last delivery, collecting his second six in the process. 10 off the over. Drinks taken at the end of the 32nd over, with the Indians in the driver’s seat right now.

SIX! Rohit shuffles down the pitch, and lofts the ball in the direction of wide long-on, getting enough power on the shot to clear the boundary. India 168/1

After 31 overs,India 158/1 ( Rohit Sharma 81 , Virat Kohli (C) 15)

Run-out scare for Kohli first ball in this over, getting sent back to the non-striker’s end after running down a few yards. Just one run scored off the over — with Rohit going for a run after getting  hit on the pad.

There it is. The routine confusion between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kohli was eager to steal a run but Rohit wasn’t keen and rightly so. Had Steve Smith hit the stumps, it would have been very close.

That’s the 2nd or 3rd time that Kohli’s hand is coming off the bat. Wonder if he is having a very limp bottom hand owing to some pain or injury. India need less than 87 runs in 20 overs i.e. at a scoring rate of above 4 runs an over. Eminently gettable as long as the team has wickets in hand. No need for any sort of risks, including running between the wickets

After 30 overs,India 157/1 ( Rohit Sharma 81 , Virat Kohli (C) 15)

Kohli and Rohit miscue off the first and second deliveries of the over respectively, with the ball landing safely after being airborne for a few seconds. Three singles off the over. Another 86 needed for the Indians to win from 120 deliveries.

Travis Head brought back into the attack in the 30th over in place of Zampa.

After 29 overs,India 154/1 ( Rohit Sharma 79 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

After a couple of dots, Rohit opens the face of his bat, and runs the ball towards backward point for a couple of runs. Punches the penultimate delivery of the over towards sweeper point for a single. Three off the over.

After 28 overs,India 151/1 ( Rohit Sharma 76 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

Kohli opens the face of his bat off the fourth delivery of the over, with Cummins giving the ball a chase from short third man, ultimately pulling the ball back in just in time to save a run for his side. The three runs collected by Kohli brings up the 150 for the Indians. Eight off the over.

After 27 overs,India 143/1 ( Rohit Sharma 74 , Virat Kohli (C) 8)

Good over by Cummins, keeping Kohli on his backfoot as he gives away just one run off the over. The Indian captain prevents the over from going as a maiden by collecting a single off the last delivery, retaining the strike for the following over.

Another bowling change, with Cummins returning to the attack for the 27th over.

Nathan Coulter-Nile is into the attack. Remember, he has troubled Kohli in this series. Smith has kept six fielders inside the circle to tempt the Indian captain to play some cover-drives. Good captaincy but Smith would do well to deploy a slip as well.

After 26 overs,India 142/1 ( Rohit Sharma 74 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Kohli drives the second delivery towards sweeper cover, collecting a couple of runs as a result. Rohit then goes inside-out off the fifth delivery, clearing the extra-cover fence after a couple of bounces. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Rohit goes inside-out, and finds the extra-cover fence after a couple of bounces! India 142/1

Kohli and Rohit need to be cautious about their running between the wickets. Kohli is very quick in running and stealing singles and twos. But he needs to keep in mind that Rohit, batting on 70, has been out there for a much longer time and may not be as quick. He might even be used to another pace of running — that of Rahane and would hence not be up to immediately picking up at Kohli’s pace..

After 25 overs,India 135/1 ( Rohit Sharma 70 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Another good over from Coulter-Nile, giving away just three singles off it, with Rohit batting on 70 at the end of this over. Meanwhile, India faring very well at the halfway mark in their innings, needing another 108 to win with nine wickets in hand.

After 24 overs,India 132/1 ( Rohit Sharma 69 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Zampa returns to the attack, and gets cut towards the backward point fence by Rohit off the first delivery that he bowls. Kohli gets off the mark with a single off the third delivery, with a misfield aiding his cause on this occasion. Eight off the over.

Nathan Coulter Nile has been the number one pace bowler for the Aussies in this series. He has picked up wickets constantly and provided breakthroughs when the Aussies were down and out. This leg before wicket of Rahane was another example of his usefulness to the side.Pity the support for him is so ordinary

FOUR! Not the best of starts for Zampa in a new spell, as Rohit powerfully cuts the first delivery of the 24th over towards the backward point boundary. India 128/1

Most century opening stands for India in a calendar year in ODIs:

8 – 2017

7 – 2002

7 -2007

Zampa brought back into the attack, replacing Faulkner.

Rohit and Rahane have struck a good understanding as openers. Sometimes it is Rohit who goes hard on the bowlers while at other times it is Rahane who steps in.This ensures that there is no pressure on the team where scoring rate is concerned. This match their 124 run first wicket stand has set up the chase very well. Rahane’s dismissal, forced by Aussies having to bring back their main bowler, won’t hurt as India are past the halfway mark. Rahane’s knock of 61 was  a shot in the arm for the team

After 23 overs,India 124/1 ( Rohit Sharma 63 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Rahane picks the gap between fine-leg and square-leg with a flick off the second delivery of the 23rd over, collecting his seventh boundary, but is trapped lbw off the very next delivery as Coulter-Nile gets the first breakthrough. Kohli walks out to bat,  and defends the remaining deliveries of the over. Four runs and a wicket off the over.

Out walks Rahane. In comes Kohli. It hardly took a couple of seconds for the ‘Kohli, Kohli’ chants to begin.

OUT! Coulter-Nile it is who gets the first breakthrough! Rahane moves forward by a couple of steps, and is rapped on his front pad while looking to guide the ball towards the leg side. Umpire Erasmus raises his finger after a couple of seconds. Rahane reviews it, but the ball is shown to be clipping the top of leg, resulting in umpire’s call. Rahane once again fails to convert a fifty. India 124/1

Rahane lbw Coulter-Nile 61(74)

FOUR! Flicked away towards the boundary back of square, with Rahane finding the gap between two fielders on this occasion! India 124/0

After 22 overs,India 120/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 57 , Rohit Sharma 63)

Rahane chips the first ball towards mid-off, where the ball lands in a vacant space (thankfully for the batsman, else would have been a simple catch). Rohit guides the last ball towards third man, where Cummins dives to save two runs for the visitors. Five off the over.

Rahane’s notches 23rd fifty. Took a couple of uncharacteristic risks in this over to get there. His purple patch continues. While there was no doubt before Australian series that he is the reserve opener, he has scored enough to put the team management in dilemma; whom to pick in the eleven for the New Zealand series: him or Dhawan. A ton here would be icing on the cake for Rahane.

After 21 overs,India 115/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 55 , Rohit Sharma 60)

Coulter-Nile returns to the attack in the 21st over, and bowls a tidy one that sees Rohit and Rahane collect two singles each. Meanwhile, Rohit’s strike-rate at the moment is over a 100. Interesting considering he took 15 deliveries to get off the mark.

Fastest to 4000 ODI runs as an opener: (By innings)

79 – Hashim Amla

83 – ROHIT SHARMA*

93 – David Warner

Indian players with four consecutive fifty-plus scores against Australia in ODIs:

Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli

Ajinkya Rahane*

Well done Rahane. Another 50, another 100-run stand between him and Rohit — the third in this series. Rahane has stepped into the role of opener so well that Shikar Dhawan’s absence has hardly been felt in this series. The first 20 overs has brought 111 runs. Well in control of the chase

Seam from both ends now, as Smith brings Coulter-Nile back into the attack for the 21st over.

Most fifty-plus scores against Australia among Indians in ODIs:

24 – Sachin Tendulkar 

11 – ROHIT SHARMA*

10 – Virat Kohli

After 20 overs,India 111/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 53 , Rohit Sharma 58)

Faulkner bowls the 20th over and keeps it tight for the first five deliveries, giving away just two singles off it. That is until Rahane lofts the last delivery down the ground to make it four consecutive half-centuries. Six off the over.

Pairs with three or more consecutive century stands against Australia in ODIs:

Gordon Greenidge/Viv Richards

ROHIT SHARMA/AJINKYA RAHANE*

Indian pairs with three consecutive century stands in ODIs:

Shikhar Dhawan/Rohit Sharma

Shikhar Dhawan/Ajinkya Rahane

Rohit Sharma/Ajinkya Rahane*

FOUR! FIFTY FOR AJINKYA RAHANE! He smacks the last ball of the 20th over straight over the bowler’s head to bring up the milestone for the 23rd time in his career, taking 64 deliveries to get there on this occasion! This is his fourth consecutive half-century! India 111/0

James Faulkner, who has bowled only an over so far, is brought back into the attack in the 20th over.

After 19 overs,India 105/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 48 , Rohit Sharma 57)

Another good over for the Indians, with nine coming off it. Rohit collects a double off the third delivery, getting to his 35th ODI half-century. He whacks the ball through the covers two deliveries later to bring up the century-opening stand. The Indian first-wicket pair have once again got their side off to a good start.

Both batsmen were a hit away from their fifties. A couple of fans were wondering who would reach the milestone first. And Rohit does, with a tuck to backward square leg. A fine innings. Took a long time to open his account but once that first run was score runs started coming quite comfortably. 
He also took the attack to Head in the previous over and just pulled Stoinis over midwicket. Australia need to strike quickly before this match slips out of their hands completely.

India’s 100 has come at better rate than 5 runs an over, the asking rate at the start of the chase. Rohit helps himself to a 50 off 52 balls. Rahane too almost there, batting on 48. Very productive pair in this series. Both are making batting look so easy

FOUR! That’s one way to bring up the century stand for the first wicket! Rohit times his short-arm jab well, sending the ball racing through midwicket! India 103/0

FIFTY FOR ROHIT SHARMA! His 35th in ODIs, and he takes 52 deliveries to get to the mark, having hit seven fours and a six along the way. Gets there with a double off Stoinis’ bowling. With this, he makes it a hattrick of boundaries. India 99/0

Most sixes against an opposition in ODIs:

64 – Shahid Afridi v Sri Lanka

54 – ROHIT SHARMA v Australia* 

53 – Sanath Jayasuriya v Pakistan

Another fine opening stand between Rohit and Rahane. They are laying the foundation for a well planned attack on the Aussie attack. The pair might be scoring slower than usual. But they have retained their wickets in the initial overs and at the same time chipped away at the target. 85 runs from 17 overs  without losing a wicket is an ideal launch pad

After 18 overs,India 96/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 47 , Rohit Sharma 49)

Head continues after drinks. Rohit smacks the first six of the innings coming down the track and lofting the ball over long-on in a flat hit! Drives a full-toss off the last delivery through the covers to collect his seventh boundary! 11 off the over.

FOUR! Rohit drives the last ball of the 18th over through the covers! Moves to 49 in the process! India 96/0

SIX! First big hit of the innings, and this one comes off the bat of Rohit, who dances down the pitch and lofts the Head delivery over long-on, clearing the outstretched hand of Warner. India 92/0

After 17 overs,India 85/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 46 , Rohit Sharma 39)

Australian captain Smith brings medium-pace back into the attack, with Stoinis conceding three off his third over. The umpires signal drinks at the end of this over. Meanwhile, Rahane is one hit to the fence away from completing a half-century.

Marcus Stoinis brought back into the attack, replacing Zampa.

That Wade effort might have not resulted in a wicket. But the crowd immediately started clapping to appreciate it.

After 16 overs,India 82/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 44 , Rohit Sharma 38)

Wade appeals for a catch off the first delivery after pulling off an impressive catch running and diving to his left. Turns out, the ball had only deflected off Rahane’s thigh. Three singles collected off Zampa’s third over.

36 runs have come in the 5 overs bowled by the spinners Zampa and Head. Rahane and Rohit taking easy runs off the spinners. In contrast just 43 runs came in the first 10 overs

After 15 overs,India 79/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 42 , Rohit Sharma 37)

Rahane goes inside out first ball, but the well-timed shot only finds the fielder at long-off after a bouncer, allowing Rahane only a single. Rohit hands the strike back to his partner after guiding a quicker delivery down the ground. Rahane punches a full-toss from Zampa through extra-cover, collecting his fifth boundary as a result. Nine off the over. India a run ahead of Australia in terms of par score.

FOUR! Punched through the covers by Rahane off a full-toss from Zampa! India 76/0

After 14 overs,India 70/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 35 , Rohit Sharma 35)

Rahane pulls the ball off the second delivery towards the fielder at the square-leg boundary, coming back for a second run. Gets another couple of runs two balls later, this time guiding it towards midwicket. Five off the over.

After 13 overs,India 65/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 30 , Rohit Sharma 35)

Rahane’s luck shines as he gets an inside-edge that not only saves him from a certain stumping, but is also wide of the stumps, allowing him a single. Another edge next ball, this time along the outer edge of Rohit’s bat that runs away to the third man boundary for a four. Rohit ends the over with a pull towards the backward square-leg boundary for another four. 12 off the over — a good one for the Indians.

Spinners are bowling in tandem here for Australia after 10 overs. Indian openers have given them another decent start but do Indian openers now have an ability to rotate the strike along with patience. They can take an odd risk here and there. They need to make sure that they can’t play across the line often.

FOUR! Rohit dispatches a bad delivery from Zampa by guiding it towards the backward square-leg boundary, where no fielder is able to give the ball a chase! IND 65/0

FOUR! Rohit gets an outside edge off Zampa’s bowling that carries all the way to the third man boundary! Rohit was looking to guide this over extra-cover in an inside-out shot. India 59/0

After 12 overs,India 53/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 29 , Rohit Sharma 24)

Rohit, surprised by a hint of extra bounce, chips the ball towards the mid-on. A loud shout of ‘CATCH’ follows the shot, with the ball falling into no-man’s land. Six singles off the over, with Rohit and Rahane artfully rotating the strike among themselves.

FIFTY-PARTNERSHIP up between Rohit and Rahane, with the duo taking their time today by consuming 69 deliveries to get to the mark! India 50/0

Aussies opting for un-Aussie like double spin attack. Travis Head is an up and down spinner. Whether he can do for Australia what Kedar Jadhav achieved for India needs to be seen

“Yala lay martat re (he always leaks runs),” says a fan as Rohit Sharma welcomes James Faulkner with a lovely cover drive. He has a point. Faulkner was dropped for the Champions Trophy and needs to produce a good show with the ball to maintain his spot in the squad. His pace has reduced which has made his slower variations less threatening. Will be intriguing  to see what Faulkner does to help Australia defend 242.

Now it’s spin from both ends, with Travis Head replacing James Faulkner from the South End.

After 11 overs,India 47/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 26 , Rohit Sharma 21)

Rohit guides the first delivery that Zampa bowls down the ground, though the ball was airborne for a few seconds. Misfield at point allows Rohit to steal a quick single off the penultimate delivery. Rahane keeps the strike with a single off the last ball of the over, with four coming off it.

India have squeezed 43 runs in the first 10 overs. A period when the Aussies have been excessively defensive and waiting for things to happen. Rahane and Rohit have been able to find gaps every now and then in the spread out inner field. Spinner Zampa should be welcome

Another bowling change. Zampa is introduced into the attack in the 11th over from the North End.

After 10 overs,India 43/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 24 , Rohit Sharma 19)

Rahane drives the first ball Faulkner bowls wide of extra-cover, collecting his fourth boundary in the process. Hands the strike back to Rohit with a single off the next delivery. Rohit pats the penultimate ball down the ground, collecting a run. Six off the over. Turns out to be a decent, if somewhat sedate, start for the Indians.

FOUR! What a way for a batsman to greet a new bowler into the attack! Rahane drives the first ball bowled by Faulkner on the up, placing it wide of extra-cover, with the ball beating long-off to the fence. IND 41/0

Change of bowling. James Faulkner replaces Nathan Coulter-Nile from South End.

After 9 overs,India 37/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 19 , Rohit Sharma 18)

Rahane shuffles down the track, but is cramped while attempting a pull, and can only guide it towards backward square-leg for a single. Rohit helps a back-of-length delivery towards backward square-leg next ball, collecting his fourth boundary. Five off the over.

FOUR! Rohit goes for a short-arm jab off a back-of-length delivery going down leg, guiding it back of square! IND 37/0

The atmosphere has completely changed in the stadium in the Indian innings. The crowd started the Mexican Wave and continued it for around 120-150 seconds. Wankhede can learn! After it stopped, the spectators acknowledged their effort by clapping and the ‘India, India’ chants began after that. As I type, the customary chant at every Indian stadium, ‘Sachin, Sachin’ is underway.

After 8 overs,India 32/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Rohit Sharma 14)

Rohit is struck on his arm while trying to pull a bouncer from Coulter-Nile at the start of the eighth over. Connects well in the next two deliveries, but the ball rolls straight to a fielder on each occasion. Rohit finally manages to get one to the boundary rope, driving the penultimate ball through the covers in a well-timed shot.

FOUR! Well-timed drive through the covers off Rohit’s bat, as he moves to 14 with that shot! IND 32/0

Slow and steady start by Rahane and Rohit. The two new balls used from either end should be utilised by the batsmen, especially as its hardness would facilitate stroke play.  Would be tougher as ball gets older and softer.

After 7 overs,India 28/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Rohit Sharma 10)

Stoinis bowls the seventh over, with Rohit collecting a single off the first ball of the over. Three singles collected off the over. Despite the few boundaries that have come along their way, the start has been a relatively quiet one for the in-form opening pair.

Least innings to score 2000 ODI runs in India:

42 – ROHIT SHARMA*

45 – Sourav Ganguly 

46 – Virat Kohli

48 – Navjot Sidhu

49 – MS Dhoni

Change of bowling as early as the seventh over, with Stoinis replacing Cummins from the North End.

Just as a nervous Rohit inside edged onto his pads and almost handed a return catch to Nathan Coulter-Nile, a spectator besides observed, “Arre ek pan run nahi kela yane (he is yet to get off the mark).” And Boom! Rohit responds with two spectacular consecutive boundaries. That’ll ease some pressure off the Mumbai batsman.

After 6 overs,India 25/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 17 , Rohit Sharma 8)

Rahane continues his fine touch, punching the ball through the covers off the second delivery of the sixth over through extra-cover, collecting his third boundary in the process. Those are all the runs that are scored off this over.

The sun has set. Temperature has fallen and unlike afternoon, it’s quite pleasant right now. India have started cautiously but still the fans are making a lot of noise and getting behind the Indian openers.

FOUR! Punched through the covers by Rahane, playing on the up off Coulter-Nile’s bowling! IND 25/0

After 5 overs,India 21/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 13 , Rohit Sharma 8)

Rohit tries to get off the mark off the fourth delivery with a ild slog towards the leg slide, and nearly lobbing the ball back to Cummins in a return catch after deflection off his foot. He does get off the mark in the end, taking 15 balls to do so, but with a straight drive that goes all the way to the long-off fence. Ends the over with a lofted shot down the ground, making it back-to-back fours off Cummins’ bowling.

FOUR! While the previous stroke was a grounded one, Rohit decides to go aerial this time, once again towards long-off! IND 21/0

FOUR! Rohit takes 15 deliveries to get off the mark, but finally does so with a classic straight drive that sends the ball scurrying away to the long-off fence. IND 17/0

Both Indian openers are in-form and know how to mix caution with aggression in the first ten overs and it will be vital for them to use it to a very good effect. Moreover, it’s a good idea to spend some time on this kind of wicket where you will see Australian bowlers vary their pace and bowl some cross-seam deliveries later on to restrict the run-flow.

After 4 overs,India 12/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 12 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Another good over for Coulter-Nile, and opener Rohit Sharma is yet to get off the mark after facing 12 deliveries. Just one off the over, with Rahane guiding the second ball of the over towards mid-on for a single.

After 3 overs,India 11/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 11 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Rahane drives the ball on the up off the first delivery, guiding it down the ground to collect his second boundary. Hands the strike back to Rohit with a single a couple of deliveries later. Five off the over, with Rohit yet to get off the mark after facing eight deliveries.

FOUR! Driven down the ground by Rahane! The ball was airborne for a couple of seconds, but it was too low and wide a chance for Cummins anyway. India 10/0

After 2 overs,India 6/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 6 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Coulter-Nile bowls from the other end, and keeps it tight, conceding just one run off it. Rahane guides the ball towards third man off the third delivery of the over to collect the only run scored off the over.

Indian openers follow soon after! In for the chase. Will we see some fireworks straightaway?

Nathan Coulter-Nile it is who shares the new ball with Pat Cummins, bowling from the South End.

After 1 overs,India 5/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 5 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Cummins appeals for an lbw against Rahane off the first delivery of the innings, though the ball seemed to have hit the batsman too high on his pads, something that David Warner also indicated. Rahane gets the side off the mark two balls later, using the pace of the ball to redirect it towards the midwicket fence. He then collects a single off the next ball to hand the strike to Rohit, who prefers to block the remaining deliveries. Five off the over.

Australian players saunter out at the centre amid huge cheer and claps. The Indian openers follow them. 243 to chase and India are favourites. Goes without saying, the visitors need early wickets. 

Love the atmosphere.... #IndvAus #AakashVani pic.twitter.com/z4UgnExXGh

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 1, 2017

FOUR! Delightful on-drive off Rahane’s bat finds the midwicket boundary, getting the hosts their first runs on the board! IND 4/0

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane walk out to the crease at the start of the Indian innings, with the latter set to take first strike as usual. Pat Cummins to bowl the first over from the North End.

After the first ten overs, it felt like Australia are on their way to another 300-plus score. But then the Indian spinners choked the run flow. The overall bowling was excellent but the stand-out bowler, as far as restricting the overall bowling was excellent but the stand-out bowler, as far as restricting the Australia is concerned, according to me was Jasprit Bumrah. Wasn’t quite effective in the first Powerplay but returned and bowled maturely. His first four overs: 4-1-34-0. His final six overs: 6-1-17-2. Just encapsulates my point!!

So the dropped catch in the final over didn’t cost much. Australia end with 242 as Bhuvneshwar Kumar caps the innings off by making a mess of Nathan Coulter-Nile’s sticks.

The duo of Kumar-Bumrah has done the job for India again in the death overs. They conceded only 32 runs by taking three wickets in the last six overs. Excellent death bowling! India have finally solved the quandary of having pacers who can bowl yorkers consistently in the death overs.

India need less than 5 runs an over to pull off a win. Australia’s 242 can be surmounted. The chase will make for a lot of interesting cricket. Gives the batsmen yet another chance to make up for the failures of the previous ODI in Bengaluru.

After 50 overs,Australia 242/9 ( Pat Cummins 2 , )

DROPPED! Faulkner slogs the first ball down the ground, straight into the hands of Pandya. The ball however, pops out of his palms, allowing the all-rounder a single. Cummins gets off the mark with a single off the next ball. Singles off the next two deliveries as well, with Bhuvneshwar not giving any room for the batsmen to go for the big shots. Wickets fall off the last two deliveries of the innings — while Faulker is caught well short of his crease while coming back for a risky second run, Coulter-Nile gets his off-stump flattened off the first delivery that he faces. Five runs and two wickets off the over, as Australia finish on 242/9.

BOWLED EM! What a final over this turned out to be for India! Bhuvneshwar uproots Coulter-Nile’s off-stump off the last ball of the innings, as Australia finish on 242/9 after 50 overs!

Coulter-Nile b Bhuvneshwar 0(1)

OUT! Faulkner is caught well short of his crease while trying to come back for a risky second run! Credit to Pandya for a sharp throw at the striker’s end, with Dhoni’s reflexes doing the rest. AUS 242/8

Faulkner run out (Pandya) 12(17)

Bhuvi and Bumrah living up to their billing as best death overs bowlers. Aussies unable to make headway against them. Wade pays for his desperate trying

Wade’s stay at the crease was strenuous to say the least. He had connected a couple but other than that he struggled. His bat too slipped out of his hands while trying to slog one. Walks back for 20 with questions hanging over his future in 50-overs cricket.

After 49 overs,Australia 237/7 ( James Faulkner 9 , )

Run-out chance missed off the first delivery of the over. While two batsmen were stranded at the striker’s end, the throw at the other wasn’t quote accurate, allowing one of the batsman enough time to run back. Wade swings his bat off the fourth delivery, and the bat slips out of his hand. Wade tries going big off the last delivery, but hits the full-toss in the direction of sweeper point, straight into the hands of an eagerly-waiting Rahane. Five runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Nice way for Bumrah to finish his quota off, as Wade holes out to sweeper point! End of an interesting cameo by the keeper-batsman. AUS 237/7

Wade c Rahane b Bumrah 20(18)

Virat Kohli has just come to field at long off and people have gathered near the gallery to click selfies.

After 48 overs,Australia 232/6 ( Matthew Wade (W) 18 , James Faulkner 6)

Wade slogs the first ball of the 48th over down the ground, clearing the long-off boundary to collect only the second six of the innings. Singles exchanged off the next two deliveries. Wade tries going big towards the leg side off the fourth delivery, but miscues. The ball though, lands well short of Rahane near deep midwicket, allowing the batsman to return for a second run. Good over for the tourists, with 12 coming off it. Another two overs to go.

SIX! Wade doesn’t quite hit an off-cutter from Bhuvi from the middle of the bat, but gets enough timing on the shot to clear long-off! AUS 226/6

Smith played across the line and gone. Handscomb also played across the line and threw his wicket away. And Stoinis did the same but against the pacer – Jasprit Bumrah. Basically, it’s a crime if you play across the line on this kind of wicket. James Faulkner is not known for doing things which he was known for earlier in his career these days and with Matthew Wade struggling as ever, India would like to restrict Australia under 250 runs.

After 47 overs,Australia 220/6 ( Matthew Wade (W) 8 , James Faulkner 4)

Another good over from Bumrah, as he restricts the batsmen to the ones and twos instead of the boundaries that the latter would be on the lookout for in the last five overs. Six off the over. Interesting mix of deliveries from Bumrah, with quite a few slower ones making their way into his spell.

After 46 overs,Australia 214/6 ( Matthew Wade (W) 4 , James Faulkner 2)

Superb over by Bhuvneshwar — his first in a new spell. Gives away just three singles off it, with both Wade and Faulkner looking to slap the ball all over the ground. It is in India’s advantage that there are two new Aussie batsmen in the slog overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought back into the attack in the 46th over, replacing Kuldeep Yadav in the attack.

Down to last 5 overs. Australia need a more robust approach in these last 5 overs to make a fist of it, Right now it is doubtful whether the team would get to 250!

Three reds! OUT: displays the big screen and the crowd erupts in joy. Australia are six down and in deep trouble. It would be a challenge to even reach 260: Focus will be on Wade, who has a golden opportunity to prove his worth.

After 45 overs,Australia 211/6 ( Matthew Wade (W) 3 , James Faulkner 0)

Brilliant over by Bumrah, with just a bye coming off it at the expense of the wicket of Stoinis — who gets trapped lbw, and ends up wasting a review. Another appeal for catch off the fourth delivery after a thick edge, with the ball landing just short of Dhoni’s gloves.

Stoinis’ luck had to run out sometime. He had edged past wicket-keeper and slip on couple of occasions, survived through one DRS. Couldn’t survive the second. LBW as he played across the line to Bumrah and missed. His 46 came in 63 balls. Australia 210 for 6 in 45th over

OUT! Bumrah finally gets his first wicket, trapping Stoinis lbw with a delivery that angled into the batsman! Stoinis brought his bat down a tad late, missing the line of the delivery in his attempted on-drive. The all-rounder tries reviewing it, but the impact is umpire’s call, meaning he’ll have to make the slow walk back to the pavilion. AUS 210/6

Stoinis lbw Bumrah 46(63)

Jasprit Bumrah is brought back into the attack in the 45th over, replacing Axar Patel.

After 44 overs,Australia 210/5 ( Marcus Stoinis 46 , Matthew Wade (W) 3)

Kuldeep bowls his final over, with keeper-batsman Matthew Wade walking out to the crease after the dismissal of Head. And he gets off the mark off the second delivery that he faces, collecting a single on the occasion. Five off the over, as Kuldeep finishes with figures of 0/48 from 10 overs, including a maiden.

How well Axar Patel has bowled in the ODI series against Australia and Sri Lanka. It will be difficult for Indian selectors to leave him out to play Ravindra Jadeja in India’s next ODI series.

Head in his hurry to play across the line done in by a delivery pushed right up to him. Could change path of the descending bat and played all over the ball to be bowled. Very good breakthrough to get in the slog ovedrs.

When nothing else works, bowl a fast full delivery, said no one over to a spinner. But really, Axar caught Head by surprise there. Picks a wicket off his final delivery to complete a terrific day at the office.

After 43 overs,Australia 205/5 ( Marcus Stoinis 44 , )

Big appeal for lbw by Axar off the first ball of his final over, with umpire Erasmus turning it down due to the batsman coming down the track. Wide conceded off the fourth ball. Axar hits the base of Head’s middle stump with a quicker ball of the last ball of his quota, with the left-arm spinner signing off with figures of 3/38.

BOWLED EM! Axar rattles Head’s middle stump with a quicker delivery that lands right at the base of the wicket! End of a fine partnership for the fifth wicket! AUS 205/5
 

Head b Axar 42(59)

After 42 overs,Australia 202/4 ( Travis Head 41 , Marcus Stoinis 43)

Head collects a couple of runs off the first delivery of the 42nd over, before getting down on one knee and smacking the ball towards the cow-corner fence to collect his fourth boundary. Vociferous appeal for lbw by Kuldeep against Stoinis, with umpire Nandan taking a while before raising his finger. The batsman reviews straightaway, with Ultra-Edge showing a spike — courtesy an inside edge. Stoinis dances down the track next ball, getting a thick edge that lobs the ball in the direction of gully, where Axar doesn’t show enough effort to collect a catch. Kohli makes his displeasure known with a stern look. Seven off the over.

Although Australia have recovered well via Head and Stoinis, they find themselves in a difficult situation The total number of overs the Bhuvi and Bumrah, two of the best death bowlers in world cricket currently, can bowl now. And India have to bowl just 6. If they don’t click, Kohli can fall back on Hardik Pandya. Talk about luxury!  Australia have to plan the slog overs smartly and decide on a par score before changing the  gears

FOUR! Down on one knee, Head picks the vacant cow-corner region with a perfectly-timed slog sweep! Brings up the 200 for Australia as well! AUS 201/4

After 41 overs,Australia 195/4 ( Travis Head 34 , Marcus Stoinis 43)

Singles collected off the first two deliveries of Axar’s ninth over. Stoinis gets a thick inside-edge that carries all the way to fine-leg, allowing the batsman to come back for a second run. Five off the over, with Stoinis in the 40s right now.

Axar Patel is brought back into the attack, with an over left in his kitty after this one. He replaces Bumrah from the North End.

Redemption time for Bumrah. After a poor opening spell his 2nd spell has been far more restrictive. Runs not coming easily even to well set Head and Stoinis.They have pieced together a useful partnership even though they are struggling against  spin. Australia have huffed and puffed their way to 190 for 4 from 40 overs . The last 10 overs should determine the course of the match

After 40 overs,Australia 190/4 ( Travis Head 33 , Marcus Stoinis 40)

Head sweeps the first ball of Kuldeep’s eighth over towards deep midwicket, though he can collect only a single. Stoinis gets down on one knee, and sweeps the next delivery towards the midwicket fence to collect his third boundary. He shuffles down the track looking for another boundary, but only gets a single after mistiming it towards midwicket, where Kohli’s placed a fielder this time. Stoinis then slaps the last ball through the covers for another boundary, with 11 coming off the last over of the second powerplay. The two batsmen are making their intentions clear — they’ve waited enough, and will now go for the attack.

Slower ones. Yorker. Well executed length balls. This 3-over spell from Bumrah has been exceptional. Australia too sensed that he could break the partnership and respected him. He conceded only six runs off 18 balls. It will be interesting to see if Kohli gives him another over.

FOUR! Stoinis reads a wrong ‘un from Kuldeep, and slaps the last ball of the second powerplay towards the vacant sweeper cover region! AUS 190/4

FOUR! Stoinis gets down on one knee, and picks the vacant midwicket region to collect his third boundary! AUS 184/4

After 39 overs,Australia 179/4 ( Travis Head 31 , Marcus Stoinis 31)

Bumrah bowls his seventh. Fires a perfect yorker, angling it into Stoinis, with the latter having no option but to block it. Just one run off the over, with the pacer making a decent comeback of sorts. Both batsmen batting on 31 at the end of this over, at a near-identical strike rate.

Australia have recovered well with the Head-Stoinis stand but the tricky question will be of what will be the good score on this slow-paced wicket? This stand has provided the solidity but now it’s time to get a move on.

After 38 overs,Australia 178/4 ( Travis Head 30 , Marcus Stoinis 31)

Kuldeep into his seventh over. Fires a delivery outside off that turns away from Head, with the latter still slapping the ball away to extra-cover for a couple of runs. Five off the over.

After 37 overs,Australia 173/4 ( Travis Head 26 , Marcus Stoinis 30)

Just two singles off the 37th over, with the umpires calling for drinks at the end of this over. Stoinis and Head have put the Aussies back in contention for a score in the range of 270. Let’s see if they can go the distance.

Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis working out some sort of partnership. Useful under the circumstances and gives the Aussies a breath of fresh air. Not out of woods though

After 36 overs,Australia 171/4 ( Travis Head 25 , Marcus Stoinis 29)

Kuldeep into his sixth over. The ball kicks up unexpectedly from good length, with Dhoni pulling off some fast reflexes to prevent the ball from crashing onto his helmet grille. Three singles off the over.

After 35 overs,Australia 168/4 ( Travis Head 24 , Marcus Stoinis 27)

Bumrah brought back into the attack in the 35th over. Much better over for the pcer, who had a nightmarish opening spell as he got battered all over the park. Stoinis collects a single off the last ball — which could have fetched more runs for the visitors had it not been for the efforts of mid-off — which brings up the 50-stand for the fifth wicket.

FIFTY-PARTNERSHIP complete between Stoinis and Head, with the former collecting a single off the last delivery of the 35th over to bring up the milestone. Has been a decent stand, with both batsmen taking calculated risks in the 64 deliveries that they have faced so far! AUS 168/4