Hardik Pandya blitz leads India to series win over Australia, secures World No 1 ranking in ODIs
Here are some photo highlights from India’s five-wicket win over Australia in the third ODI in Indore.
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Hardik Pandya hit an aggressive half-century to lead India to a series-clinching five-wicket win over Australia in the third one-day international in Indore on Sunday. AFP
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first at Holkar Cricket Stadium. Aaron Finch and David Warner (42 off 44) put on 70 runs, Australia's best opening stand in the series so far, with their 50 partnership coming up in 61 balls. AP
Hardik Pandya got the breakthrough for India in the 14th over as Warner missed the line completely and was bowled. There was no respite, however, as Finch and Australian captain Steve Smith put up Australia's best batting display of this tour yet. Finch reached his half-century off 61 balls as Australia's 100 came up in the 20th over. AP
Finch scored 124 runs off 125 balls, with 12 fours and five sixes, and shared 154 runs for the second wicket with Smith to shore up the misfiring Australian batting. AP
Finch then scored his first ODI hundred on Asian soil off 110 balls. Australia crossed 200 in the 35th over and looked set for a mammoth total before Indian bowlers hit back. Kedar Jadhav (L) and Virat Kohli celebrate Finch's wicket. AP
At the other end, Smith completed his 19th ODI half-century off 55 balls. After Smith holed out at long off, Australia lost its way completely before Marcus Stoinis helped his team edge closer to the 300 mark. AP
India openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma laid the groundwork for India's chase of 294. AP
Sharma (71) and Rahane (70) combined the right dose of caution and aggression to give the Australian bowlers a hard time. AP
Australia tried to stage a fightback as Nathan Coulter Nile dismissed Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins trapped Rahane LBW. AP
Kohli tried to take charge during his 56-run stand with Pandya but lost his wicket to left-arm spinner Ashton Agar. AFP
Kane Richardson got Kedar Jadhav caught behind for two as India suddenly found themselves in trouble at 206-4. AP
Pandya, who survived a dropped chance by Smith off Agar on 41, then showed maturity as he and Manish Pandey took control of the situation. His crucial fifth-wicket stand with Manish Pandey, who remained unbeaten on 36, helped the hosts chase down their 294-run target with 13 balls to spare. AP