Shreyas Iyer hopeful of making his debut against New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer, the Mumbai middle-order batsman, who has been selected for the 3 Match T20I series against New Zealand, is hopeful of making his debut for the county, in one of the 3-match T20I Series.

Iyer, who has been in good form over the last couple years, has always been in contention for a place in the national squad. He first brought up his call for a Test match against Australia, but couldn't feature in the match.

“Obviously I am hoping that if I am selected (in the squad) then I will play as well. We have three matches and if I play even one then it is a good feeling. I am not thinking about playing. Even if I am sitting out, I will put effort. In the end, the team should win,” Iyer said, as per quoted by The Indian Express.

While, the flamboyant batsman is open, to the idea, of batting anywhere in the order,“I am very flexible and I don’t mind batting at any number. Even in the IPL, I was shuffled from number four to number three and it didn’t really matter because I am comfortable playing in any position. If I play the game, I’ll bat at any number and will give my best.”

Meanwhile, Iyer has been instrumental in winning the Series against South Africa A, where he scored a century in the decider, wants to take the confidence forward.

“It was really helpful for me as it was the final game. South Africa A team was very challenging. We had lost the first game against them and the second game went till the last over. The final was the decider and I was having a good run. I was getting starts but was not able to convert them. In the final, it came out really well and it was a satisfying to get the team through. Obviously when you do that you get a lot of attention from your teammates as well. You have to contribute in bits and pieces as well.”

Angelo Mathews all set to rerurn on Indian tour

Angelo Mathews, the former Sri Lankan captain, is all set to return to international cricket after his recovery from injury, with the tour against India. Alongside Mathews, Kusal Perera, and Asela Gunarathne are also recovered from their respective injuries and will be in contention for the Indian tour.

Off late, Sri Lankan players have been high on injury-prone regularly, and those injuries caused the team a lot in terms of depth and results. As they lost 16 consecutive limited over matches, which included ODIs and T20Is. While the recovery of keys players, Matthews, Perera, and Gunarathne will add strength to the team ahead of Indian tour.

"Angelo and Kusal Janith [Perera] have both recovered and they will be considered for selection for the Indian series. Asela Gunaratne is fit as well," SLC CEO Ashley De Silva said as per quoted by Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, the interim head coach Pothas, pointed out, the atmosphere in the dressing room and also recalled the way Sri Lankan team fought in the Test Series, where they created history by winning against Pakistan in U.A.E

"It's pretty obvious what the mood will be like when you've lost 16 games," Pothas said. "With respect to new faces, that's a conversation that we need to have with the selectors. But I think it stands to reason that in any walk of life when you've had negative results for a period of time you need to see some change somewhere.

"On the Test series, let me remind you that we made history," he stated. "We did something that no other nation has ever done in the UAE. It tends to have been forgotten due to the fact that ODIs follow the Tests. But we have to give huge credit to the team and to the captain," Pothas noted.

Although, irrespective of results that gone away from the Lankans, Pothas focused on the positives on the tour, with fielding has been an improved area alongside their bowling. And, the way the young team fought in the second T20I was impressive, where they almost upstaged the hosts.

"Overall across the whole tour we can certainly glean a lot of positives. The fielding has improved out of sight and certainly was one of the shining lights throughout the month that we were out there. And the bowling as well was of a very high standard; the execution of the plans was very pleasing.

"Obviously, some of the batting didn't go according to plan, but that's the cricket world and other teams are allowed to play well. It was also one of the best bowling attacks in the world so it's always going to be tough, but I think on the whole the series started off very well with that Test win. Certainly the attitude, the character and the fight shown by that team was very, very pleasing”, concluded Pothas.

While, the Indian tour of Sri Lanka will start on November 16, which includes 3 Tests, 3 ODIS, and 3 T20IS.

All eyes on Ashish Nehra as T20I series set to kick-start

After a scintillating ODI Series between India and New Zealand, where the contest between the teams gone, all the way to a nail bitter in the decider, India held their nerve to pinch the Series.  Now, teams face off in a 3-match T20Is series, which is set to kick-start in Delhi, on Wednesday.

The first T20I in Delhi have a lot of things at Stakes for India, as there isn't any official confirmation, whether, Ashish Nehra could be part of Playing XI in his final appearance for the country. Adding to that, India set to play their first T20I in the capital city, and for an irony, New Zealand set to play their second.

Of what we have seen in the ODI Series, Kiwis were well prepared and executed their plans for perfection to trouble the hosts. And, now, in a format where India haven't won a T20I against Kiwis, it's gonna be even more evenly contested, as the Visitors, top the table in T20I Rankings, while India placed at No.5 on the table.

Team News

India

              All eyes will on Ashish Nehra, whether, he will be part of Playing XI or not, if he makes it, India may have to change the combination of the side, that will leave Hardik Pandya out, as India doesn't have a part-time option in Top.6 with Kedar Jadhav being left out of T20Is.

Apart from the above, Indian management has another selection process to handle, between Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, and Shreyas Iyer to pick only two Players.

Playing XI :1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4,5 Dinesh Karthik/ Manish Pandey/ Shreyas Iyer, 6 MS Dhoni(wk), 7 Hardik Pandya/ Asish Nehra, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Axar Patel, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand

              On the other hand, Kiwis, have lot fewer issues, when comes to picking their Playing XI. The only decision that might thinker them is, whether, to play an additional spinner instead of a pacer.

Playing XI:1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Adam Milne/ Ish Sodhi, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Tim Southee

Pitch and Conditions

                       

               It will be interesting to see, what type of pitch the DDCA, puts in store for India’s first T20I at the Venue. While different surfaces had been produced during the World T20 in 2016, and in IPL, either, it's a run-fest or a spinning track. But for sure at this time in the capital city, dew will play a large part, to help the batsman.

Conclusion

            So there is a lot at Stakes, in the first T20I of the 3-match Series, as India have few decisions to take regarding their Playing XI. While, Kiwis hope to continue their good work going on this tour and keep the record intact against the hosts in T20Is, but India will seek to break it.

Rahul Dravid expressed his concern about impact of Virat Kohli on young generation

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain and the present India A, and Under-19 coach hugely concerned on, the impact of the present Indian captain Virat Kohli, on the younger generation. As according to the former, Virat's approach was outrageous at times.

With pointing out the impact of Virat on the young generation, Dravid also backed him, as it is authentic for Indian Captain, to be aggressive on and off the field, which brings the best out of him.

"I think the game is still about performance. So let's not take that way from someone like Kohli," Dravid said at the Bangalore Literature Festival on Sunday as per quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "That's his personality. People have asked me, 'Why didn't you behave like that?' But that's not what got the best out of me. I would have been inauthentic to myself if I had tried to put tattoos and behave like Virat.

Dravid also, added,"Sometimes, especially before an Australia series, you'll find Virat saying the most outrageous things. And I read the paper and cringe at times. But then I think back, maybe he actually wants that contest. He wants that lip on the field because that gets the best out of him. Now that might not be everyone's cup of tea. But at the end of the day, he's got to do what gets the best out of him. Ajinkya Rahane is very different and he gets the best out of himself by doing different things. I think being authentic to yourself is very, very important.

"If engaging in a contest, sometimes needling the opposition, is getting the best out of Virat - and it certainly is because his level of performance is second to none in the world today - then so be it. You can't blame him for it.”

However, Dravid concern is about the younger generation, who idealize Virat, as their sporting hero, may lose their authentic self, if they start to replicate, Virat's personality without realizing it.

"What worries me a little bit is a lot of that gets translated into junior cricket. That's the scary thing for me, not so much what Virat does. Kids at 12, 13, 14 want to become the next Virat Kohli, not realising that maybe that's not authentic to who they are."

Dravid backs Virat over his rest controversy

Rahul Dravid, the Indian A team, and U-19 coach backed Virat Kohli, over the recent controversy speculating in media about his exclusion from Sri Lanka series, which is due to start in November.

The speculation came into the scene, as the selectors only picked the squad for the first two test against Srilanka of 3-match Series. With that, the reports spelled afterward, saying Virat has been rested for the later part of the Lankan series, which includes 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

While, there have been others reports, too, stating the Indian captain asked for the rest. Responding to the speculations, Dravid said,"Everyone needs rest. He (Kohli) will get rest when he wants. When and which series (Kohli will take) rest will be decided by the team management, physios and physical trainers (after discussing with the player). Probably currently he doesn't need rest. He may be rested later. I don't know why there is so much of discussion and controversy.”

Meanwhile, there has been an ongoing rotation policy in the Indian squad, which allowing rest for the bowlers, who feature in longer format by taking the note of their respective workloads.

Virat Kohli is one batsman, who has been featuring in all three formats, since the Champions Trophy in England. So, considering the workload and the rotation policy India have, he might get the deserved rest, with considering the away tours.

I don’t care whether I’m a part of the XI or not: Nehra responds to critics'

Ashish Nehra, the Veteran left-arm pacer, who is, all set to retire from all forms of Cricket, after the first T20I against New Zealand,has came under lot of criticism, of late, after his announcement, with the critic's pointing out, the 38 years old bowler, selected himself in Playing XI of the Delhi T20I, which is due to take place next month.

Nehra's retirement has come, as he was not picked in the Playing XI  against Australia. While the left arm pacer hadn't found a place in the squad against Sri Lanka and West Indies earlier to that.

However, with critics pointing out stuff, like Nehra selected himself in the Playing XI and with media making it a big fuss, the left arm pacer responded as per quoted by Sportskeeda,”Big’ people were saying Ashish Nehra has selected himself in the starting XI of the Delhi T20I. It’s the media’s job to sensationalize stuff and pick up controversial things.”

Nehra also went on to say, it will be management's call, whether he will feature in the playing XI or not,“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I had clarified with the team management that Delhi has been allotted the match, so I’d like to bow out there. Then people were like he was not in the XI against Australia, why would he make the team against NZ. To them, I say that I don’t care whether I’m a part of the XI or not, the team management and the selectors know that. Whenever India are playing an international match, they’ll definitely go in with their best eleven players.”

Meanwhile, Nehra broke into the national side, after his impressive performance in IPL after a long gap. Since the Austrian series in 2016, the left arm pacer has been a regular in the shorter format.

“Now as far as being a part of the XI against Australia is concerned, I’ve been a regular in the starting line-up (T20I) since making a comeback two years back, so it doesn’t make much of a difference to me. (If Delhi wasn’t allocated the match) 100% I would’ve retired after the Australia series. It’s just because I have gotten the chance to retire at Kotla that I’m doing it,”

Can depleted Sri Lanka able to give a fight against spirited Pakistan ?

Sri Lankan tour of UAE so far has been mixed with two drastic emotions, as they surprised everyone with victories in the longer format. But the ODIs has been a different story, as Lankans found, themselves, on the other side of the spectrum. Now, with the T20I series set to begin, on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Lankans hope to fight hard to register a win, in limited overs format.

However, the fortunes to win a match has shrunken a bit more, compared to that of ODIs with most regular players, opted to sit out of the series, as Lankan ministry hasn't given permission for separates teams to UAE and Lahore.

On the other hand, Pakistan, barely unchanged from the squad, that played against World XI. And, they seek to continue the form, from ODIs into T20Is, adding to that, the fortune of playing in Pakistan at the end of the series will keep them in high spirits for sure.

While, Lankans might be depleted as far as experience is concerned, but at the same it gives some inexperienced players taste of international cricket, who yet to make their debut. Alongside, these, Perera’s dream to Captain a side has come true and he might hope for a win, in a format that can be unpredictable, even with an inexperienced side.

Wounding Bangladesh hope for respite in T20Is

It's all one-sided contests, so far in this tour for  Bangladesh, as the South African team have been too good a team to pose a challenge in their own backyard. With already Tests and ODIS swept clean by the hosts, now they take on the under-performing visitors in two T20Is Series which is set to start in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

No one has expected, Bangladesh to win a test in South Africa, but many expected a fightback, but it isn't produced. Coming into the ODI Series with their recent growth in international Cricket, South Africa could have thought about a contest between the teams, but it barely happened as Visitors continued, their slump form into the ODIs as well.

More than the defeats, it has been the way they occurred with losing by a large margin is an issue with Bangladesh. There have been some individual performance but they can't come close to the South African collective effort as a team. With adding to those above, the bowling of the hosts has been a second string attack which the visitors couldn't tackle.

However, if, there is a format that anything could happen, is the T20I format and Bangladesh need a win to take some sort of pride of the tour.

South Africa

            Faf Du Plessis's injury means, he is out of the T20Is, alongside to it Proteas rested their triumph bowlers, Rabada and Imran Tahir to give younger bowlers ago. While they need to decide whether to play with only spinner or couple.

Playing XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers (C), JP Duminy, David Miller, F Behardien,  Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Dane Paterson, D Pretorius, AM Phangiso/T Shamsi

Bangladesh

              The Visitors have a newly appointed captain Shakib for T20Is after Mortaza decided to step down from T20Is, earlier in the year. So with Mortaza out of T20Is, Bangladesh might pounder between Shaiful Islam and Nasir Hossain for Mortaza spot.    

Playing XI : Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar,Liton Das,  Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan,Nasir Hossain/ Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Pitch and Conditions

             There's only one T20I played in Bloemfontein till date, and South Africa won with ease against Zimbabwe. While, the surface has been a good flat track for the batsman - to play strokes so, the T20I after a long time promises a run-fest.

India Squared the Series as Bhuvneshwar's 3-for led clinical bowling

A clinical bowling performance from India, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, helped the side to restrict New Zealand to a below par score, and it eventually turned the game on its head as India eased into the chase without much fuss, to level the series one all in the 3-match ODI Series.

With pressure on the Indian team, after losing the first ODI at Mumbai, India, made one change to the squad - by bringing in Axar Patel for Kuldeep Yadav. While the Visitors persisted with the same Playing XI.

New Zealand opted to bat first, of what seemed like a dry surface first up. Guptill found the early timing with the ball coming onto the bat, as he pinched a couple of boundaries at the start of the innings. But, Bhuvneshwar hadn't taken much time to pinch Guptill first with seam movement and later, Munro with a knuckleball.

Alongside Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah joined him to get Williamson plump in front of the stumps, who found going nowhere with shuffling across the crease.

With 27/3 on the board, Kiwis found themselves in early trouble and the repair job fell into the of Latham and Taylor, who were instrumental in the first match to chase the target.

The duo settled into the innings to dig deep after the early wickets. Kohli brought Kedar Jadhav into the attack as soon after the powerplay, who kept one end tight with his underarm deliveries, Pandya on the other hand, too, kept the scoring in check and brought Taylor's Innings to an end after a promising start.

Later, the partnership between Latham and Nicholls, brought solidarity to the Kiwis innings, as the duo maneuvered the ball with caution. While, Jadhav proved to be the game changer, against Latham with his skiddy action, and kept the sweep out for a long time.  Although Nicholls on the other end, played positively to make the scorecard ticking, with the partnership looked to change the gear, Axar sneaked a ball into the stumps of Latham.

At this time, Kiwis once again found themselves in trouble, but  De Grandhomme is one batsman among the Kiwis, who played Indian bowlers with ease, as he charged down the ground to the spinners and flicked the pacers of his pads. And, another promising partnership between Nicholls and De Grandhomme came to an end with Bhuvneshwar cleaned up the former.

After that it was only a matter of time for Indian bowlers, who found De Grandhomme soon after and made sure Kiwis couldn't kick any additional gears, at the end of the innings, but Santner and Southee late cameos helped the Kiwis to post 230 on the board.

Indian Chase

           

              The opening bowlers, of Kiwis, couldn't find the lengths up front in order to distract the Indian opening pair, as Rohit and Dhawan picked up bad balls, to despatch into boundaries. But Rohit Sharma played a loose shot, to give catching practice to the man at square leg. Later, the captain came in with urgency with a flurry of boundaries all due to some classical timing.

But, Virat, couldn't hold alongside Dhawan for much time, as he followed a well outside off delivery, to outside edge to the keeper. Then Karthik alongside Dhawan established a much-needed partnership, after the fall of early wickets. Dhawan played his shots, whenever he found the ball in his arc, while Karthik took his time to settle into the Chase.

However, soon after his half-century, Dhawan slowed down a bit, due to an impressive spell from Milne and eventually chipped one to Taylor at covers in the spell. Pandya,  who walked at No.4 seemed settled right from the word go, Meanwhile, Karthik continued to play cautiously and brought up a much important half-century for the team and to him as well. At the end, Karthik along with Dhoni seen the Chase off with 4 Overs still to spare.

Tine for india to raise the game with Series on the line

India for the first time, have experienced the pressure of an ODI series on the line in Virat's captaincy. If, anything that could have been asked for, in the beginning of the series, is, about contest, and now it is well in true, in the firing line, as India need to win the second ODI in Pune on Wednesday, to stay alive in the Series.

While, the Indian vice-captain, Rohit, pointed out about their concern facing left arm pacers, prior to the series, and it eventually became a big factor, facing, on fire Trent Boult. However, it is not limited just to Boult - as the Kiwis attacked as a pack, but if Indian batsman can't handle the left armer early on, in Pune - they might find themselves in a similar situation - as - of - in Mumbai.

The way the Kiwis batsman swept both Indian wrist spinners has been a surprise, with the previous opposition’s Batsman struggled to negate them. While their new shuffled batting order has done a great job and that too without much contribution from their skipper.

On the other hand, India have to raise the game and have to find solutions against the left armers' as soon as possible, as it's been the weak link in the batting order. Apart from that, there were few positives to take from Mumbai with Karthick seemed settled and Bhuvi continuing to deliver cameos in lower-order.

Indian team

                   If what happened in Mumbai is taken into consideration then it has to be said, India has undone by intensity shown by Kiwis. So, there is no point in changing the Playing XI, rather than to raise their own game.

  

Playing XI : : 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 Kedar Jadhav, 6 MS Dhoni(wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand team

                 For Kiwis, there is no point in changing the Playing XI, as they need to continue the good work and intensity shown in the first ODI.

Playing XI: 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Adam Milne, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Tim Southee

Pitch and Conditions

        

                The Pitch at  Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune as offered a flat pitch in the two ODIs played there, and dust bowl for a Test match. While in this season of IPL it offered a two-paced track for most of the tournament. So it's interesting to see, what the pitch offers on Wednesday as the previous ODIs offered run fest's, and India, so far haven't prepared a rank run-fester in this home season.             

Usman khan's five-for warps-up another Sri Lankan Whitewash

Pakistan wrapped-up the 5-match ODI Series with a Whitewash against, Sri Lanka, who have suffered a fourth consecutive series defeat and a third 5-0 whitewash in a calendar year.

It all seemed like a formality for Pakistan, as Lankan batsman unable to find a  theory to score runs and it was Usman khan’s day, who picked up 5-wicket  haul in his second one day international inside his four overs first up.

With Sri Lanka at 20/5, inside first 7 overs which included 3 ducks of all single-digit scores, never recovered from it, as the Lankan batsman found ways to give their wickets on a good dry pitch.

It was only a matter of time then after the early burst from Usman Khan. Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan joined to collapse the Lankan batting even further with a couple of wickets apiece, to wrap up the Lankan Innings for embarrassing 103 with as many as 23 overs to spare.

It was hardly a surprise for Pakistan to witness a drastic Collapse, as they found unchallenged, and hardly any pressure moment to play out of their skin so far in the series.

With only 104 to get, Pakistan scrolled down the target with ease inside the 21st over of the innings, as Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq steered through the runs all around the park.

Kiwis face In-form India with work in progress

India, set to kick-start, their second series of the home season, as they line-up against Kiwis in a 3-match ODI Series first up. The Series has lot offer for both teams as there are areas - to test themselves up, to build a formidable side ahead.

For, now, though, India looks more a settled side, apart from No.4 Conundrum, the Series against Australia has been a one-sided affair. The newfound wrist formula of India, turning its tales, and their record in this year only getting better, against different opponents.

On the other hand, Kiwis going through some sort of transition, in the batting with quite a few spots up for grabs, and it's exciting to see, how the shuffling batting order responds to Indian attack.

While, Kiwis had a good series when they toured India in 2015, where similar conditions have been seen as those produced in this home season. But, now India turning out to be a great side irrespective of the conditions, so for, Kiwis: it's not only about adapting to the conditions, is also about competing against the in-form hosts.

Meanwhile, the contest of the Series depends on how Kiwis respond to the challenges, especially from wrist spinners is the question, as their bowling looks quite a settled bunch to trouble Indian batsman.

Can Sri Lanka stop energised Pakistan to stop their losing streak ?

Sri Lanka, only getting bad to worse. One can say for sure, Sri Lankan team is, in its very acute state, that, they never saw this kind of performance, since their growth started in world Cricket. And now things seem falling out of hands for the Islanders, as, Sri Lanka, just one match away from a third Whitewash of the year, and a fourth series defeat.

If Lankans, want to stop that, they need to draw some sort of inspiration from the test series, where many have written off against them. While, it is, that confidence factor holding them back, than skill.

On the other hand, Pakistan, enjoying their limited overs form, which not only covering the holes but also forming solid bench strength. If Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman continue to shine at the top, alongside experienced middle-order, Pakistan might become unbeatable.

However, the bowling unit deserves more credit and the Series continued in this fashion for bowlers: defended totals what Lankans can chase, restricted Lankans to - what they can't defend.

Anyways, both teams have their own take away’s from the final ODI, as Pakistan doesn't want to be complacent, and the Lankans want to be out of their never-ending losing streak.

Sri Lankan batsman need to step-up to stop their losing streak

The devastating form of Srilankan team, continuing even further, with their 10th consecutive ODI loss, which also ended their chances to stay alive in the series. As, Pakistan, continue to impress in the shorter format, since the Champions Trophy success.

Lankans’ injury prone problem, has been a never-ending cycle and, bits and pieces of performance from the batsman not taking them anywhere. Although, Pakistan, which is one of the best bowling attacks - in the world - proving to be - too much to handle for fragile Lankan line up.

On the other hand, the hosts ticking away every box, they have. It is the bowling, they bank on every day, and with new additions in the batting lineup making, Pakistan, much more formidable side to watch out for.

While, if there is anything to watch, for Lankans, is their bowling attack, that done a decent job thus far, with restricting Pakistan to lesser totals. But the batsman failed to capitalize, apart from, few lone Innings from Tauranga and Thirimanne.

The series may have been done and dusted with Pakistan making it 3-0, but,  the remaining 2 ODIs gonna be crucial for the visitors, to embed some sort of confidence in the team with a win.

Australia stay alive as Behrendorff crack Indian top order

Australia won the second T20I at Guwahati and leveled the series one all, with an impressive bowling performance, got the better of Indian batsman. That allowed them to end the losing streak against Hosts, as Australian batsman, later, followed up with an easy chase.

The first international match at Guwahati, haven't presented an easy road for the hosts, with Indian batsman lost their way up front against Behrendorff, who swung the ball and made things tough with his natural variations.

It looked like an action replay, of what happened in Champions Trophy final against Amir. As Rohit Sharma found his feet not going anywhere for an inswinger. And Virat presented an easy return catch with inside edge, then followed Manish Pandey after a streaky boundary, outside edging to an angled ball.

The four batsman top of the order had been a victim to Behrendorff's 4-over spell among those wickets, Dhawan's is more of Warner's, who executed a terrific catch, running backward with immense ease.

After the early Collapse, Jadhav and Dhoni found to be the pair, to do the rebuilding job at Stakes. In this time, Jadhav played his shots with some risks and, Dhoni slowly maneuvered the ball round the corner. As the partnership seemed to get some momentum, Zampa out-foxed Dhoni with dragging the length back and ripping it past out if his reach.

Soon after, Jadhav had undone by the goggly, who thought to drive it over extra cover. Then, the responsibly to get a respectable total has fallen into the hands of Indian rising star, but Pandya couldn't find much help from another end, as timing the ball became a difficult job with Australian's employed the slower balls for perfection.

In the end, India could only manage 118, and with dew came into the effect, the target lost its significance even further. But Indian opening bowlers got the Australian openers up front and made the contest an interesting one.

But, apart from the openers, India couldn't make inroads into the Australian batting lineup, as Travis Head played as well as he could so far in the series, facing spin. At the other end, Henriques made sure to dig deep and laid a partnership alongside Head, to take them home without further fuss.