The last nail in the coffin would be beaten at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground which is scheduled to host the final match of the three-match ODI series between India and Australia. With the second ODI going to the visitors comprehensively, the final chapter of the series is alive and kicking with both teams raring to go.
Since his return from injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been under scrutiny as he failed on occasions to leave his spark. when Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the limited over series, India relied on Bhuvneshwar to deliver on the big stage.
In the first ODI, he cracked two wickets but gave away 66 runs in the process, out of which 48 runs came in his last three overs.
He was in immense pressure but came back strongly with 4 wickets in the game in Adelaide. He finished his spell with an impressive tally of 4 for 45 which meant that Australia who were looking good to go beyond 300 were settled for 298.
With a lot of criticism surrounding his existence in the team, MS Dhoni gave a befitting reply to his critics and played yet another match-winning knock. He came into bat when India’s no. 4 conundrum Ambati Rayudu once again perished in pressure with India needing 139 from 116 deliveries.
Dhoni was involved in two crucial partnerships in the middle. First, it was skipper Kohli who went on to score a magnificent ton to help his side closer to an astonishing victory which was followed by a rapid 57 runs stand with Dinesh Karthik.
It was the 39th ODI ton for the skipper who took his team almost single-handedly to the finishing line. The finishing touches were provided by the ever so dependable MS Dhoni who blasted a six in the first ball of the last over and then took a cheeky single in the following delivery to hand India a series-levelling victory.
His innings was all about calculations, he knew what had to be done and what was the correct time to do so. His innings wasn’t flashy instead he tried to play as the inferior partner before saving his best for the last.
Where – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
When – 07:50 AM IST, January 18, 2019
Australia Squad:
India Squad:
Australia:
Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Billy Stanlake, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Jhye Richardson.
India:
Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammad Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami. (Doubt: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kedar Jadhav)
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