India v/s Australia 3rd ODI: India stunned by Faulkner's pyrotechnics

4143 days ago

#India Australia ODI Series 2013, #James Faulkner, #Ishant Sharma, #Mahendra Singh Dhoni

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India v/s Australia 3rd ODI: India stunned by Faulkner's pyrotechnics

Australia defeated India by four wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the seven match ODI series with some extra-ordinary hitting from James Faulkner. James Faulkner scored a match winning unbeaten 64 runs of just 29 balls. India seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory with the Aussies needing 44 runs out of last 3 overs. But James Faulkner had other plans as he amassed 30 runs from the 48th over bowled by Ishant Sharma over. Needing 14 off the last two overs, R. Ashwin conceded only 5 runs in the 49th over, but there was no way back as Faulkner hit a six off Vinay Kumar to seal India’s fate. Adam Voges remained not out with a well made 76 and he and Faulkner added an unbeaten 93 runs.

Earlier, India scored a challenging 303/9 with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading from the front as he scored an unbeaten 139 off 121 balls. Virat Kohli chipped in with a useful 68 runs knock. India seemed to be in a spot of bother as they lost 4 wickets for 76 runs but Dhoni with useful partnerships with Kohli and then with Ashwin made sure that India reached a decent total on a batting friendly track. For the Australians, Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets for 46 runs.

The 4th ODI will be in Ranchi on 23rd October.