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Australia v India: Live coverage of third ODI from the MCG

At 37, India’s MS Dhoni shows no sign of slowing down as he stars in a seven-wicket ODI victory over Australia at the MCG.

Daniel Sankey
14 min read
10:36AMJanuary 18, 2019.
Updated 10:09PMJanuary 18, 2019
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India's MS Dhoni goes on the attack. Picture: AFP
India's MS Dhoni goes on the attack. Picture: AFP

India has won the third ODI against Australia, sealing a 2-1 series victory with a seven-wicket win at the MCG.

MS Dhoni has consigned Australia to yet another ODI series defeat, delivering a spectacular knock to lead India to a dramatic seven-wicket victory at the MCG.

Set 231 to win tonight’s decider, India chased their target with four balls to spare to claim a 2-1 series victory and cap off a summer of unprecedented triumph.

Superstar veteran Dhoni again steered India to victory, scoring an unbeaten 87 off 114 balls — his third 50 from as many games — to repeat his match-winning heroics in Adelaide.

In a gripping finish, Dhoni was dropped on 74 by Aaron Finch at mid-off, then partner Kedar Jadhav (61 not out) barely survived a run-out attempt at the non-striker’s end.

MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav celebrate India’s victory in the third ODI. Picture: Getty Images
MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav celebrate India’s victory in the third ODI. Picture: Getty Images

Jadhav then scored the winning runs to the jubilation of a crowd of 53,603 dominated by Indian fans who chanted Dhoni’s name.

It is Australia’s seventh straight ODI series defeat, extending a two-year winless streak that has alarm bells ringing for the team’s World Cup defence.

Dhoni and Virat Kohli (46) were both able to capitalise on Australia’s poor fielding and questionable use of the Decision Review System (DRS). Dhoni survived being out for a golden duck to Marcus Stoinis when Glenn Maxwell dropped a straightforward chance at point, while replays showed Finch should have reviewed a caught-behind opportunity when Dhoni was on 34. Kohli was dropped by Peter Handscomb at second slip on 10 and survived a run-out opportunity on 32.

Much of the post-mortem however is bound to focus on Australia’s batting. Openers Finch and Alex Carey again failed to produce runs while Shaun Marsh (39), Usman Khawaja (34) and Maxwell (26) were unable to build on promising starts, forcing Handscomb (58) to fight a lone hand with the tail. Legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal led the way for India, celebrating his ODI recall at the expense of mystery spinner Kuldeep Yadav with career-best figures of 6-42. Sensing opportunity in overcast conditions which caused a brief rain delay, Kohli reaped immediate rewards after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Both Carey and Finch fell cheaply to swing king Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the latter trapped LBW on 14 to cap off a miserable summer across all three formats.

Yuzvendra Chahal took six wickets against Australia at the MCG today. Picture: AAP
Yuzvendra Chahal took six wickets against Australia at the MCG today. Picture: AAP

Chahal then struck twice in his first over to remove the in-form Marsh and Khawaja, who had combined for a 73-run partnership.

Maxwell came to the crease in the 30th over — the earliest Australia’s No.7 had been required for the series — but soon fell to Mohammed Shami, squeezing an ill-judged pull shot to a brilliantly diving Bhuvneshwar at deep fine leg.

AAP

Daniel Sankey 9.47pm: India win with 4 balls remaining

MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav have steered India to a seven-wicket win over Australia in the third ODI at the MCG, securing a series victory in the process as they chased down the hosts’ total of 230 with four balls to spare.

Dhoni (87 not out from 114 deliveries) showed supreme patience throughout his innings after coming to the wicket with India in a spot of bother at 2-59. He shared in a 54-run partnership with Virat Kohli before he and Jadhav (61 not out from 57 deliveries) combined for an unbeated 121 as India finished on 2-234 from 49.2 overs.

Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle and Marcus Stoinis all picked up wickets for Australia, but it was the hosts’ batting that again let them down as they posted a total that was at least 30 runs short of being seriously competitive.

The chief architect of the Aussie batting lineup’s destruction was recalled legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who took career-best figures of 6-42 from his 10 overs.

Daniel Sankey 9.26pm: India need 27 off 18 balls

Just three overs to go at the MCG and India require 27 runs in a match that’s now a lot closer than many would have predicted.

India’s 37-year-old superstar MS Dhoni has been brilliant, pacing his way to 74 not out from 107 deliveries as Kedar Jadhav has smashed 46 from just 50 deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 8.36pm: Dhoni brings up his 50

That’s a third straight 50 in this ODI series for India’s ageless MS Dhoni. His half century tonight comes from 74 deliveries and as long as he remains at the wicket, India should win this game. They’re 3-151, with 80 required for victory from 72 deliveries.

MS Dhoni brings up his 50. Picture: Fox Sports
MS Dhoni brings up his 50. Picture: Fox Sports

Daniel Sankey 8.07pm: WICKET! Kohli dismissed

Australian paceman Jhye Richardson has given his team a sniff of victory, getting the crucial wicket of Indian star Virat Kohli (46 from 62 deliveries) caught behind.

After 32 overs, India are 3-120 and require 111 from 108 deliveries for victory. MS Dhoni is 38 not out and Kedar Jadhav is 2 not out.

Daniel Sankey 7.50pm: Kohli, Dhoni take control

Star Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have taken a stranglehold of the third ODI against Australia, taking India to 2/109 after 29 overs.

The pair, who both average above 50, are both closing in on half centuries. Kohli is 43 not out from 57 deliveries while Dhoni is 34 not out from 54.

7.23pm: More chances goes begging

Daniel Sankey 7.01pm: WICKET! Stoinis gets breakthrough

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis gets Australia back in the contest at the MCG, deceiving Shikhar Dhawan that he hits straight back to the bowler for a regulation caught and bowled.

Dhawan goes for 23 (46 deliveries) and India are 2-59, chasing 231 for victory with Virat Kohli on 27 not out (35 deliveries).

MS Dhoni is the new batsman ... and he’s dropped by the normally super-reliable Glenn Maxwell off the very first delivery he faces. It’s a shocker from Maxwell ... a simple chance that should have been taken at point.

Daniel Sankey 6.55pm: Handscomb drops sharp chance

You don’t get many chances to dismiss Virat Kohli ... and Peter Handscomb will be ruing the fact that he wasn’t able to complete this sharp catch at first slip off the bowling of Billy Stanlake.

Kohli has moved along to 25 not out as Stanlake bowls the 16th over of the innings, with India on 1-55.

Peter Handscomb drops a tough chance off the bowling of Billy Stanlake. Picture: Fox Sports
Peter Handscomb drops a tough chance off the bowling of Billy Stanlake. Picture: Fox Sports

Daniel Sankey 6.20pm: WICKET! Siddle dismisses Sharma

He was unlucky to miss out with an LBW shout in his first over, but Peter Siddle has got his man, catching the outside edge of Rohit Sharma’s bat to have the star Indian opener caught at first slip by Shaun Marsh.

Sharma goes for 9 and India are 1-15.

Daniel Sankey 6.02pm: No luck for Siddle

Peter Siddle very nearly gets a crucial early breakthrough for Australia in the second over of India’s innings, with an LBW appeal against Rohit Sharma turned down by the umpire.

The Aussies reviewed the decision and while ball tracking showed the delivery would have hit the stumps, it was only with half the ball — the umpire’s call ruling meaning the not out decision stood.

Nevertheless, it’s a good start for Siddle. India are 0-1 after two overs.

5.30pm: Maxwell can’t make most of chance

Glenn Maxwell squandered a golden chance to prove Australia’s saviour as India bowled out the hosts for 230 in the ODI series decider at the MCG.

Maxwell’s brain fade denied a wobbling Australia a much-needed restorative partnership and has left India well-placed to claim a 2-1 series victory. Shaun Marsh (39), Usman Khawaja (34) and Maxwell (26) all failed to build on promising starts, forcing Peter Handscomb (58) to fight a lone hand with the tail.

Legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal led the way for India, celebrating his ODI recall at the expense of mystery spinner Kuldeep Yadav with career-best figures of 6-42 from 10 overs.

Sensing opportunity in overcast conditions which caused a brief rain delay, Virat Kohli opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

The tourists again made early inroads, extending their domination of Australian openers Alex Carey and Aaron Finch into a third consecutive game. Both fell cheaply to swing king Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the latter trapped LBW on 14 to cap off a miserable summer with the bat across all three formats. Chahal then struck twice in his first over to remove Marsh and Khawaja, who had combined for a 73-run partnership.

Marsh, having scored four centuries in his previous eight ODI innings, looked on track for another big score before coming down the pitch to a wide delivery, failing to connect with the bat and being stumped by MS Dhoni. Khawaja’s dismissal was even softer, badly mistiming an attempt to play to the leg side and scooping the ball gently back to Chahal.

Marcus Stoinis’s dismissal on 10 brought Maxwell to the crease in the 30th over — the earliest Australia’s No.7 had been required for the series. Debate has raged about whether Maxwell should bat higher but his dismissal to Shami, squeezing an ill-judged pull shot to a brilliantly diving Bhuvneshwar at deep fine leg, will do his case no favours.

Chasing their first ODI series win in two years, Australia named Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa in place of Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon. No overs were lost during a brief downpour which caused play to be halted for 20 minutes after just two balls.

Time will be made up during the innings break, which has been cut to 30 minutes.

Australia’s Usman Khawaja leaves the field after being dismissed by Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Picture: Getty Images
Australia’s Usman Khawaja leaves the field after being dismissed by Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Picture: Getty Images

AAP

Daniel Sankey 5.19pm: WICKET! Australia all out for 230

India are in pole position to secure an ODI series victory over Australia as Mohammed Shami bowls Billy Stanlake for a duck to dismiss the hosts for just 230.

Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and his bowlers did the job, taking regular wickets throughout Australia’s innings.

Legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal (6-42) was the star while Australia’s Peter Handscomb (58) tried his best as wickets fell around him.

Daniel Sankey 5.14pm: WICKET! It’s 6 for Chahal

Another Australian batsman falls to Yuzvendra Chahal, and this time it’s Adam Zampa (8 from 14 deliveries), who tries to smash the Indian legpsinner into the grandstand but only succeeds in sending it straight down the throat of Vijay Shankar at long on.

Chahal finishes his 10 over spell with 6-42 and Australia are 9-229 with two overs remaining in the innings.

Daniel Sankey 5.05pm: WICKET! 5 for Chahal as Handscomb goes

Yuzvendra Chahal continues his demolition job on Australia’s middle order, picking up his fifth wicket of the innings as he traps Peter Handscomb (58 from 63 deliveries) LBW in the final ball of his ninth over.

Not surprisingly, given he’s the only specialist batsman remaining for Australia, Handscomb chose to review the decision — but it’s unlikely he ever thought the umpire’s decision to give him out would be overturned.

Handscombgot on the back foot to a full delivery and was struck right below the knee-roll on the back pad. Ball tracking showed it was crashing into the stumps little more than halfway up. Australia are now 8-220 in the 47th over.

Daniel Sankey 4.57pm: Chahal gets a fourth wicket

A fighting knock from Australian paceman Jhye Richardson comes to an end on 16 (23 deliveries) as he’s deceived in flight by Yuzvendra Chahal, getting a leading edge that lobs straight to Kedar Jadhav at short midwicket.

Australia are now7-206 in the 44th over, with the impressive Peter Handscomb on 52 not out (59 deliveries) and Adam Zampa about to take strike.

With 4-36, Chahal — who now boasts the best figures at the MCG by an Indian spinner — looks well on his way to man-of-the-match honours.

Daniel Sankey 4.14pm: Aussies on ropes as Maxwell departs

Hopes of a 250-plus total are fading fast for Australia, with Glenn Maxwell’s promising innings coming to an end on 26 (19 deliveries).

The Victorian got four runs off top-edged hook shot early in Mohammed Shami’s fifth over of the day — and he attempted exactly the same shot later in the over, only to send it into the diving hands of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took a brilliant catch running in from fine leg.

Australia are now 6-161 in the 34th over, with Peter Handscomb (24 not out) the lone specialist batsman remaining. He’s been joined in the middle by young paceman Jhye Richardson.

Daniel Sankey 3.52pm: WICKET! Chahal gets Stoinis

Australia lose a third wicket for just 23 runs, and it’s Yuzvendra Chahal yet again who’s got the breakthrough. It was a belter of a delivery from legspinner Chahal, who forced Marcus Stoinis onto the back foot and got one to turn. The ball caught the outside edge and Rohit Sharma took a good catch at slip.

Stoinis departs for 10 (20 deliveries) and Australia are now 5-123, with Glenn Maxwell joining Peter Handscomb (13 not out) in the middle.

Chahal has 3-12 in his fourth over.

Daniel Sankey 3.32pm: WICKET! Khawaja caught and bowled

Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal has just shown everyone at the MCG why he’s the number six-ranked bowler in ODI cricket. Usman Khawaja has dollied up a simple caught and bowled for Chahal, who’s taken 2-2 in just four deliveries to have Australia in all sorts of trouble at 4-100.

Khawaja goes for a scratchy 34 from 51 deliveries and it’s now left to Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis to build a competitive total for the home team.

Daniel Sankey 3.30pm: WICKET! Marsh stumped

A massive blow for Australia, with the in-form Shaun Marsh stumped by MS Dhoni off a legside wide.

Marsh, who’d done all the hard work after the loss of two early wickets as he made his way to 39, tried to dance up the wicket and flick Yuzvendra Chahal off his pads. However, he got nowhere near the ball and Dhoni had enough time to gather the wide delivery and whip off the bails before Marsh could get his bat behind the line.

Australia slump to 3-100, with Usman Khawaja on 34 not out and Peter Handscomb the next man to join him.

Daniel Sankey 3.05pm: Drinks — Australia 2-55

It’s 17 overs down at the MCG and India are right on top after winning the toss and electing to bowl. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed both Alex Carey (5) and Aaron Finch (14) in a brilliant opening spell of 2-15 from 5 overs.

Usman Khawaja (17 not out from 34 deliveries) and Shaun Marsh (16 not out from 33) have righted the ship somewhat for the Australians, but they’ll be keen to lift a run rate that’s hovering at just above the three runs per over mark.

Marsh could be forgiven for being a little tentative when play resumes. He was lucky to survive just before the drinks break when veteran wicketkeeper MS Dhoni dropped what looked to be a straightforward chance.

Australia will still be aiming for a total well above the 250 mark, with plenty of batting to come. Peter Handscomb is next in, while big hitting all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will be followed by the enigmatic Glenn Maxwell.

Daniel Sankey 2.33pm: WICKET! Finch trapped LBW

Aaron Finch is gone, trapped LBW by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 14 (24) … but it’s come the very next delivery after a bizarre dead ball ruling.

Kumar chose to bowl the fifth ball of the innings a step behind where he normally releases the ball. It caught Finch off guard, with the Australian batsman stepping away, before the umpire ruled dead ball despite Kumar’s protestations.

It didn’t matter in the end, for the delivery sailed harmlessly through to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni … and Kumar got his man the very next delivery anyway with a delivery that jagged back and hit Finch on the kneeroll. Finch chose not to review the decision, despite the fact he was batting well outside the crease — and the decision proved correct, with ball tracking showing it was hitting the top of leg stump.

Australia are 2-27 after 9 overs, with Usman Khawaja (8 not out) joined in the middle by Shaun Marsh. Kumar has the impressive figures of 2-15 from 5 overs.

Daniel Sankey 2.03pm: WICKET! Carey caught in slips

The first wicket of the day has fallen, with Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey edging a short pitched delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar straight to Virat Kohli in the slips.

Australia are 1-8, with Usman Khawaja joining Aaron Finch (3 not out) at the crease.

Daniel Sankey 1.55pm: Back underway at the MCG

Play has resumed after a short rain delay at the MCG, with Australian captain Aaron Finch lucky to survive the final delivery of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first over. Finch got an outside edge to a delivery that moved off the pitch but it fell just short of first slip. He also shouldered arms earlier in the over but replays showed the ball was missing the stumps.

Finch and opening partner Alex Carey then had a mix-up running between the wickets, but the throw at the stumps missed with Finch well out of his ground.

Daniel Sankey 1.35pm: Another rain delay

Play did get underway at 1.30pm at the MCG … but unfortunately, it lasted just two deliveries as the more light rain swept across the ground.

Australia are 0-1, with Alex Carey (1 not out) and Aaron Finch (0 not out) waiting to resume.

Daniel Sankey 1.19pm: We’ve got a rain delay

Just as we feared, light showers are still hanging around at the MCG. Umpires have called for a 1.30pm start time with the hessian covers still protecting the pitch.

Daniel Sankey 1.01pm: India wins toss, to bowl first

Indian captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and has chosen to bowl first on a pitch that’s only just had the covers taken off it at a cloudy MCG.

There’s been plenty of rain about in Melbourne today, with the toss actually pushed back 10 minutes to 1pm as ground staff prepared the ground for play. The forecast for the afternoon is mainly fine, so it’s hoped both teams will bat their full 50 overs.

Both teams have made changes, with Australia bringing in Adam Zampa and Billy Stanlake for Nathan Lyon and Jason Behrendorff. India gives a debut to all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who comes into the team with batsman Kedar Jadhav and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Mohammed Siraj, Ambati Rayudu and Kuldeep Yadav have been omitted.

AUSTRALIA: Alex Carey (WK), Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake.

INDIA: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami.

12pm: Covers are on at the MCG

11am: Marsh leads batting resurgence

Win or lose today’s series-decider, Australia will take plenty of positives from their ODIs against India as they gear up for their World Cup defence.

Victory at the MCG would hand Aaron Finch’s men their first series win in two years. Since beating Pakistan 4-1 in January 2017, Australia have won four and lost 20 ODIs with three no-results due to weather.

It is an alarming trend which national selectors have been understandably keen to correct ahead of the World Cup starting in May.

Shaun Marsh of Australia celebrates his century in the second ODI against India. Picture: Getty Images
Shaun Marsh of Australia celebrates his century in the second ODI against India. Picture: Getty Images

Early evidence suggests they could be onto a winner by installing a new-look middle order of Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb. Marsh has continued his remarkable ODI form with scores of 54 and 131 while Khawaja and Handscomb both scored fifties during Australia’s series-opening victory in Sydney.

“There’s been a lot of talk around our batting, particularly in one-day cricket and through them middle overs,” Finch said.

“The way that we’ve played their spin so far — 3-115 from the 22 overs in Sydney and then 1-115 last game — I think is a really good indication that the improvement’s there and the mindset shift in particular from the last couple of months has been really good.”

Peter Handscomb glides one down to third man in the second ODI against India. Picture: AAP
Peter Handscomb glides one down to third man in the second ODI against India. Picture: AAP

Prolonged white-ball struggles, a rare home Test series defeat and a new broadcast deal which splits rights between Seven and Fox Cricket has ensured Australia’s cricketers have had no shortage of free advice from former players. Finch has urged his younger teammates to tune out the commentary, noting that the best guidance often came from trusted confidantes.

“I think for the young guys it’s important to not let that get to you,” he said. “It’s important to have your own network of people to go back to and people who you really trust with your own game outside of the Australian cricket team coaches.

“At times, the best thing you can do is go back and see someone who you’re really comfortable with and who’s seen your game over a long period of time … that can be really refreshing.”

AAP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-india-third-odi-from-the-mcg/news-story/df0afe3b2a1ab2979700706f069cc959