3rd ODI: Glenn Maxwell took career best 4 wickets, Australia took 66 runs consolation win over India – Dainik Savera Times

Rajkot: All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who returned to the ODI team on Wednesday in the last match of the ODI series at the SCA Stadium here, gave a career-best performance of 4-40, leading Australia to a 66-run consolation win over India. Australia’s top four batsmen David Warner (56), Mitchell Marsh (96), Steven Smith (74) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) scored half-centuries to take the visitors to a mammoth score of 352/7, the highest score in ODIs.

In reply, India made a good start thanks to half-centuries by captain Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli (56). But Maxwell varied the tempo with his accuracy and consistent line and length, dismissing both Washington Sundar and Shreyas Iyer to derail India’s chase. Australia took advantage of India’s strategy of using slow balls towards the end of the innings to bowl out India for 286 runs in 49.4 overs.

The result meant Australia snapped its five-match losing streak in ODIs, although India won the series 2-1. Chasing 353, Rohit was in excellent timing from the start, as was his A lofted cover drive off Mitchell Starc going for six or driving the fast bowler over the deep cover fence for another maximum. Even three classic pull shots had an air of carelessness before he brought up his half-century in 31 balls in the power-play, with Starc unable to take a catch despite diving past third man.

Rohit put on a 74-run partnership for the opening wicket with his new partner Washington Sundar, after which Maxwell induced a big hit from Washington Sundar and Labuschagne took a wonderful diving catch at long-off. Kohli came in and followed up with a drive off a brilliant full toss from debutant leg spinner Tanvir Sangha. Kohli was at his best in whipping, driving and dancing on the pitch to deliver a ‘wow’ moment by dispatching Starc through a lofted straight drive for six, while sharing a 70-run partnership with Rohit. But Maxwell ended it with a brilliant one-handed reflex catch, catching the ball with his right hand.

From there, Australia reduced the runs even as Kohli hit Cameron Green at mid-off for a boundary to complete his 66th ODI half-century. But he soon became Maxwell’s third wicket by bowling a fast ball at mid-wicket. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer hit four boundaries between themselves, but it was not enough to maintain the required run-rate rising. Rahul bowled a slow off-cutter from Starc to keeper Alex Carey, while Iyer was caught by Maxwell and Suryakumar Yadav hit Josh Hazlewood’s slower ball to mid-wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja, trying to get his batting magic back, hit three fours and a six in his 35 off 36 balls, sealing the result and becoming Sangha’s first ODI scalp, as Australia finally got the win over the World Cup. Brief scores: Australia 352/7 in 50 overs (Mitchell Marsh 96, Steven Smith 74; Jasprit Bumrah 3-81, Kuldeep Yadav 2-48) beat India 286/7 in 49.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 81, Virat Kohli 56, Glenn Maxwell 4-40, Josh Hazlewood 2-42 by 66 runs.