Kohli's Fifty in Vain as Australia Bag Series Win Against India
Australian won the third ODI of the series vs India by 21 runs (Source: Twitter)
Australia won the three-match series 2-1 after defeating India in the third ODI by 21 runs.
Pandya, Kuldeep pulverises Aussie batting line-up
After opting to bat first, Australia failed to cash in on the toss advantage as following the 68-run opening stand, the innings hit the skids.
Things went south for Australia as firstly Hardik Pandya caused turmoil, taking down the visitors' top three, including Mitchell Marsh, who scored run-a-ball 47.
While David Warner, who batted at number four, and Marnus Labuschagne took Australia towards recovery, the innings retrogressed as soon as their 40-run partnership ended, courtesy Kuldeep Yadav.
Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott gained starts. However, none of them could last long as Australia bundled out for 269 in the penultimate over.
Zampa, Agar stands in India's way towards win
Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar spun a web around the India batters as their combined six-wicket haul pushed India to their first series loss in ODI cricket at home since 2019.
Like the Aussie openers, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma had perfectly set-up the game for India with their 65-run partnership.
Although the two India openers fell in quick succession, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul consolidated well as the hosts seemed to be moving towards victory comfortably.
Then came Zampa and Agar. The spinners forced India towards the edge of the cliff.
After Virat Kohli perished following his fifty, Agar struck again to give Suryakumar Yadav his third consecutive golden duck.
Hardik Pandya brought back India in the match with his 40-ball 40 but as Zampa removed him and Ravindra Jadeja, the loss became inevitable.
Eventually, India played out 49.1 overs and scored 248, suffering a 21-run defeat.
Brief scores:
Australia: 269/10 (49)
Mitchell Marsh 47 (47), Alex Carey 38 (46);
Hardik Pandya 3-44 (8), Kuldeep Yadav 3-56 (10)
India: 248/10 (49.1)
Virat Kohli 54 (72), Hardik Pandya 40 (40);
Adam Zampa 4-45 (10), Ashton Agar 2-41 (10)
Australia won by 21 runs
 "Aayush Mahajan")
