India were comprehensively outplayed in Bengaluru (Photo Credit: Twitter )
Bengaluru:
Australia skipper Aaron Finch said they kept losing the momentum, which first prevented them from setting a challenging target and then made it difficult to take wickets in the decisive third ODI.
India claimed the series 2-1 with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third ODI as the hosts chased the 287-run target with Rohit Sharma scoring a sublime century.
“The wicket started to turn, and maybe it started to slide a bit more later on. We felt if we were able to post 300 or 310, that would have brought our spinners into play. We probably lost just one wicket (too many). Just that momentum kept getting stalled every now and then,” Finch said. The skipper said he had brought on part-time bowlers, including himself, since they were not getting wickets.
“You play world-class players up front, you will go for a few runs. We wanted to get some wickets up front. It wasn’t to be.” The visiting skipper said it was an enriching experience, playing Indian in their den.
“To play against the best in the world in these conditions is a great learning experience. Everyone played well. It was a great series to be a part of,” Finch said.
Earlier, India were comprehensively outplayed in Mumbai when they were outbatted, outbowled and outfielded for a 10-wicket drubbing. In Rajkot, the team performed like a unit and levelled the series. In Bangalore, they took the momentum of Rajkot and scripted a remarkable turnaround which highlighted the strong character of the side. Rohit Sharma averages over 100 at the M Chinnaswamy stadium against Australia. On Sunday, the Mumbai right-hander continued his fondness for the Australian attack as he blasted his 29th century. Helped by Virat Kohli's 89 and a late burst of superb death bowling from Mohammed Shami, India registered a seven-wicket win in Bangalore to win the series 2-1 and build plenty of momentum ahead of their upcoming full tour of New Zealand.
In the very first over of India's chase of 287, Rohit had gone past 9000 runs in ODIs and it made him the third quickest to the landmark after Kohli and AB de Villiers. Having passed the milestone, Rohit was on song as he launched Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for sixes to get going. With Rohit in the mood for big hits, it was only a matter of time before Australia failed to put a lid on the runs. Assisting Rohit was KL Rahul, who was once again shuffled in the batting after Shikhar Dhawan's tumble in the field saw him injure his shoulder and put his New Zealand tour participation in jeopardy.
