‘ Aise Jeetenge World Cup’ – Fans react as Australia prevent whitewash by winning third ODI match against India by 66 runs

India did not have the ideal end by their standards in the third ODI of the series against Australia. The World Number 1 ranked side lost to Australia by 66 runs at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. Despite this loss Indian team have been successful in winning the series 2-1.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins chose a pitch conducive to batting. The Australian openers, David Warner (56) and Mitchell Marsh (96) forged an impressive partnership of 78 before Warner’s dismissal. Steven Smith (74) then joined Marsh, creating a dynamic 137-run stand.

However, after Marsh’s departure, Australia experienced a batting collapse, sliding to 230/2 in 30 overs and concluding at 352/7 in 50 overs. Notably, India’s bowling lineup mounted a strong comeback, restricting Australia to 122/5 in the last 20 overs. In pursuit of this huge score, the Indian side had a good start with a new opening pair in the likes of Rohit Sharma (81) and Washington Sundar (18) with an opening partnership of 74 runs. But after Washington was dismissed, the likes of veteran cricketers Rohit and Virat Kohli (56) steadied the ship for India with some breathtaking shots. However, once the former was dismissed Kohli followed his partner leaving Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (26) to win it for India.

Both Rahul and Shreyas looked lethal together and out in the middle but it was Mitchell Starc’s slower one that cost the Indian wicketkeeper batter his wicket. However, once Rahul was dismissed the Indian batting lineup fell like a pack of cards. From being at 223/4 at one stage the entire team was bundled out at 286 runs.

Maxwell was the star with the ball

It would be no wrong to say that Glenn Maxwell pretty much came out of the context for the Indian batting lineup. In a chase that required India to score at a run rate above 7, the Indian team were cruising at one stage with Rohit and Kohli looking comfortable in the middle. But then came in Maxwell who completely changed the tides for the smooth sailing Indian innings.

The standout performer among the bowlers for the visiting team was the off-spinner, who recorded figures of 4/40 in 10 overs. With this victory, Australia successfully avoided a whitewash and will now enter the World Cup 2023 on a positive note.

Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this defeat: