Rohit Sharma smashed a scintillating century and Virat Kohli starred in another successful chase as India beat Australia by seven wickets in the third and final ODI on Sunday to complete a 2-1 series victory.
Steve Smith’s first ODI hundred in three years had propelled Australia to 286-9, although the tourists at one stage looked set for a 300-plus total at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Rohit’s 119 laid the foundation for India’s chase and Kohli scored 89 off 92 as three premier batsmen of their era shone in a mouthwatering contest.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Esha Gupta, who is an ardent sports lover, was all over the moon while watching the series decider. She even took to Twitter to express her delight on India’s win and hailed captain Kohli and his deputy Rohit.
“Wow a true class player @imVkohli #INDvAUS,” Esha wrote in her first tweet.
https://twitter.com/eshagupta2811/status/1218905198564798464
“What a beautiful game to watch #INDvAUS @ImRo45 @imVkohli,” she wrote in her second tweet.
https://twitter.com/eshagupta2811/status/1218920421694640129
After opting to bat first, opener David Warner fell cheaply and captain Finch got run out after an almighty mix-up with Smith as both finished up at the same end.
Smith redeemed himself with a typically fluent knock, adding 127 runs with the in-form Marnus Labuschagne (54) before wickets started tumbling at the other end.
Kohli took a stunning catch to send back Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc, promoted up the order as a pinch-hitter, fell in the same over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja.
Smith could not be denied his ninth ODI century, however, and the prolific Australian made a run-a-ball 131 before being caught in the deep.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled with characteristic parsimony and Mohammed Shami (4-63) produced a string of yorkers to hurt the Aussies who lost their last five wickets for just 51 runs.
