Brilliant captaincy from Steven Smith and an all-around effort from the Australian unit saw them beat India by a margin of 21 runs in the series decider at M.A Chidambaram Stadium, eventually sealing the series by a 2-1 margin. Interestingly, not a single inning saw the completion of the full quota of 50 overs in the entire series.

Talking about the game, the visitors won the important toss and opted to bat first in the famous M.A Chidambaram Stadium. Australia went with the same opening pair combo of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, despite the addition of regular-opener David Warner. The openers didn’t disappoint as they went on a blistering start, adding 68 runs for the first wicket. Hardik Pandya bowled a dream spell to dismantle the top-order in quick succession, as he took three wickets in his three consecutive overs. Handy contributions from the middle order helped Australia post a defendable total of 269 in 49 overs.

Mitchell Marsh was the top scorer for the Aussies with 47 runs. In response to 269, Indian openers started off well with a good going partnership in the powerplay, scoring 65 runs for the first wicket. Sean Abbott drew the first blood for Australia picking the wicket of set batter Rohit Sharma. Soon, Adam Zampa joined hands with Abbott to send Gill in the next third over. However, the duo of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli kept the chase going as they added 69 runs for the third wicket, but it was Zampa who broke yet another good-going partnership by picking set KL Rahul. India then lost Patel courtesy of a sublime fielding from skipper Steven Smith. However, Virat Kohli along with Hardik Pandya added 34 more runs for the sixth wicket.

Kohli reached his 65^th half-century, then came in the partnership spoiler in the form of Ashton Agar, who picked the wicket of Kohli to get Australia back in the contest. Suryakumar Yadav continued his poor form with his third consecutive golden duck. The duo of Pandya and Jadeja then showed some resistance as they added 33 runs for the seventh wicket. Zampa broke the good-going partnership for the third time by picking up Pandya. The momentum totally shifted to Australia once Pandya got out, eventually defeating India by a margin of 21 runs to seal the three-match series.  

Meanwhile, let us look at the stats and numbers from third ODI between India and Australia:

1 -Suryakumar Yadav became the first batter to score three consecutive golden ducks in a three-match ODI series.

26 -India remained unbeaten for 26 series across format at home. The streak has been ended by Australia.

19 -Kohli registered his 19^th fifty-plus score against Australia in ODI.

Most fifty-plus scores against Australia:
24 -Sachin Tendulkar

23 -Viv Richards

19 -Desmond Haynes

19 -Virat Kohli

18 -Brian Lara

31 -Adam Zampa now has 31 wickets against India in ODI and he became the fifth-leading wicket-taker for Australia against India. He surpassed McDermott’s tally of 30 wickets.

27 -Kuldeep Yadav has taken 27 wickets against Australia in ODI.

Most wickets by Kuldeep Yadav against an opponent in ODIs:

27* – Australia

26 – West Indies

24 – South Africa

5 -Hardik Pandya has dismissed Steve Smith for the fifth time in ODI.

Most times dismissing Steven Smith in ODIs:

6 – Adil Rashid

5 – Hardik Pandya

5 –Suryakumar Yadav became the fifth Indian to Score consecutive ducks for three times in ODI.

Indians to Score three consecutive Ducks in ODI

Sachin Tendulkar

Anil Kumble

Ishant Sharma

Jasprit Bumrah

SuryaKumar Yadav

4 –Australia’s 269 today is the fourth-highest total in ODI without a single fifty-plus score.
Highest team total in ODIs without a fifty-plus score:

285 – England v Sri Lanka 2006

281/9 – Pakistan v West Indies 2004/05

271/8 – Netherlands v Canada,2006/07

269 – Australia vs India, 2023

268/9 – Netherlands v Ireland, 2013

49 -Mohammed Siraj became 49^th Indian bowler to pick 100 international wickets.

India in last six ODI bilateral series deciders at home:

Lost by 21 runs vs AUS, Chennai, 2023 (3-match series)

Won by 7 wickets vs SA, Delhi, 2022 (3-match series)

Won by 7 runs vs ENG, Pune, 2021 (3-match series)

Won by 7 wickets vs AUS, Bengaluru, 2020 (3-match series)

Won by 4 wickets vs WI, Cuttack, 2019 (3-match series

Lost by 35 runs vs AUS, Delhi, 2019 (5-match series).

6 -Suryakumar Yadav became the sixth Indian to Score consecutive ducks three times in ODI.