Bengaluru: Riding on Steven Smith's ninth ODI century, Australia posted a sub-par total of 286/9 in the third and final ODI played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, India's Mohammed Shami picked a four-wicket haul to help India restrict Australia to a below-par total.
Australian skipper guessed the coin-flip correctly and opted to bat first in a pitch which has historically helped teams batting second. However, the decision soon seemed to backfire as Australia lost David Warner early in the fourth over courtesy of Mohammed Shami's bowling.
Five overs later, Aaron Finch had to return back to pavilion after a goof up with Steven Smith which resulted in another Australian wicket.
Steven Smith then along with Marnus Labuschagne (54) steadied the Australian innings and stitched on a 127-run partnership before Marnus returned to pavilion courtesy of a blinder from Kohli which resulted in Ravindra Jadeja's wicket.
The Australian dressing room trying to up the ante, sent Mitchell Starc as a pinch-hitter in the number five position, a move which raised quite a few eyebrows. however, this move seemed to instantly backfire as Mitchell was sent back three deliveries later by Ravindra Jadeja.
Alex Carey then partnered Smith to help the visitors reach the 230-run mark before the vice-captain was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav trying to hit the chinaman for a biggy. Meanwhile, Smith kept his nerves cool and scored his ninth ODI century thus helping the visitors cross the 250-run mark.
Ashton Turner was dismissed by Navdeep Saini in the 44th over before Shreyas Iyer caught another blinder off Mohammed Shami to dismiss Smith who scored 131 in the match.
A couple of wickets further fell down as Australia were restricted to a total of 286/9 in 50 overs.
For India, Shami picked four wickets, while Jadeja picked a two-fer. Navdeep Saini and Kuldeep Yadav were the other bowlers who picked a wicket apiece.
India would have to chase down a target of 287 to win the match and eventually the series.
