IND vs AUS / Team India lost in the last ODI – Australia defeated by 66 runs.

IND vs AUS: Team India has to face defeat in its last ODI match before the World Cup 2023. On a flat pitch in Rajkot, Australia batted first and scored a big score of 352 runs. While chasing the target, the Indian batsman got trapped in front of Glenn Maxwell's off break in such a way that the team could not even score 300 runs and lost by 66 runs. The explosive start that captain Rohit Sharma had given for Team India, the subsequent batsmen could not capitalize on. In this way, Team India could not clean sweep the 3-match series but definitely won 2-1.

This was the last chance for India and Australia to test and understand each other before clashing in Chennai on 8 October. Both the teams had made some major changes and big players had returned. Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav returned to Team India, while in the Australian team too, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc took the field for the first time in this series. All the players performed strongly.

Due to defeat

Australia's top order was successful. The top order of the Australian team, which came to play after winning the toss, was successful. Top-4 batsmen of the team scored fifty. Among these, opener David Warner scored 56, Mitchell Marsh scored 96, Steve Smith scored 72 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 72 runs.

India lost wickets continuously. Team India, while chasing the target of 353 runs, lost wickets continuously. There were two 70+ partnerships in the top order, but no partnerships in the middle order. Which became the reason for the defeat.

India's lower middle order failed. After Rohit-Kohli's half-centuries in the top order, the middle and lower middle order failed to handle the responsibility. Iyer scored 48 runs at number-4. The remaining 3 batsmen could not cross the 30 mark. KL Rahul was out on the personal score of 26, Surya was out on 8.

Indian bowlers gave away a lot of runs in the powerplay and last overs. Indian bowlers, who came to bowl first, gave away a lot of runs in the beginning and last overs. The Kangaroos' score in the first 10 overs was 90/1, while 98 runs were scored in the last 15 overs.

Analysis: Pandya missed, Rohit-Kohli could not extend the innings

In the absence of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, the weakness of the middle order of the Indian team came to the fore. Surya, who impressed by playing explosive innings in the last match, is not doing much in the middle order. Rahul-Surya and Jadeja failed to fulfill their responsibilities. Washington Sundar, who came to open with the captain, also could not capitalize on the opportunity. Also, our spin department could not make an impact on the Rajkot pitch. Here Kuldeep took 2 wickets. The remaining spinners remained empty handed.

On the other hand, Australia looked fully prepared for the World Cup in all three departments. Top-4 batsmen of the visiting team scored fifty. The bowlers took wickets from time to time. Besides, the team's fielding was also commendable. Especially Maxwell's catch and Tanveer Sengha's boundary save.

Virat Kohli scored 66th half-century

Virat Kohli scored the 66th fifty of his ODI career. He played an innings of 56 runs on 61 balls. In this innings, Kohli scored runs at a strike rate of 91.80.

Rohit's 52nd fifty

Captain Rohit Sharma scored the 52nd fifty of his ODI career. He was out after scoring 81 runs on 57 balls at a strike rate of 142.11. He was caught and bowled by Maxwell.

Fifty partnership of Rohit-Kohli

Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a half-century partnership for the second wicket. Both added 70 runs on 61 balls. This partnership was broken by Glenn Maxwell by caught and bowling Rohit.

Rohit-Washington's fifty partnership

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Washington Sundar gave a great start to the team by making a partnership of 78 runs. Both faced 65 balls. This partnership was broken by Glenn Maxwell.

Powerplay: Great start for India

The Indian team, which set out to chase the target of 353 runs, made a great start. The team has scored 72 runs without loss in 10 overs.

Australia's top order unravels

Australia batted first on the flat pitch of Rajkot and its top order created a good foundation for its bowlers. Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored quick half-centuries. It was started by Warner and Marsh. Together, both of them beat Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna fiercely. Warner (52) completed his half-century in just 32 balls.

After Warner, Smith supported Marsh, who scored his third half-century against India within 6 months. During this period, Marsh (96) hit 3 fours and 1 six in one over of Bumrah. Smith (74) also completed his half-century through classical batting. There was a partnership of 137 runs between the two. Marsh could not complete his century, while soon Smith also came close and missed it. Indian bowlers including Bumrah (3/81) made a good comeback after the 35th over but still Labuschagne (78) was successful in taking the team to 352 runs.

Playing-11 of both the teams

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Tanveer Sengha and Josh Hazlewood.