India In Shambles! Lose Both T20I, ODI Series To Australia

Result: Australia won by 35 runs to take five-match series 3-2

India's quest to find right combinations for the upcoming World Cup ended with a 35–run defeat in the decisive fifth ODI against Australia as they lost the series 2-3.

Earlier, India lost the three-match T20I series 2-1.

In what was their last game before the showpiece event in the United Kingdom, the Indian innings folded for 237, exactly in 50 overs while chasing a 273-run target. Australia had put on board 272 for nine, built around Usman Khawaja's (100) second hundred of the series.

It was India's first ODI series defeat at home since losing to South Africa in 2015 as their big guns fell silent on the day when the series was on the line.

India also became the only side in the world to lose an ODI series twice after leading 2-0.

Chasing a challenging target on a tricky Feroz Shah Kotla wicket, India were strangled in the middle overs by the Australian spinners.

History too was against India since the hosts have not successfully chased a 250-plus total at the Kotla in the last 37 years. It was way back in September 1982 against Sri Lanka when they overhauled a 278-run target.

On the other hand, Australia, who were trailing 0-2 initially, made a remarkable comeback to grab their first ODI series win in India since 2009.

It is only the fifth instance that a team has won a series after being down 0-2.

India Innings; Target 273

And Australia have won both the T20I and ODI series in India.

Marcus Stoinis hit the middle stump to dismiss Kuldeep Yadav as Aussies won the match by 35 runs. India all out for 237. The visitors fought back from 0-2 down to win 3-2.

Two wickets in two balls, those of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (46 off 54; 4s-3, 6sX2)and Kedar Jadhav (44 off 57; 4sX4, 6sX1)all but ended India's chances. First the wicket of Bhuvi, caught at long-off off Pat Cummins by Aaron Finch to end the 91-run stand. That happened off the last ball of the 46th over. Jadhav soon joined Bhuvi in the hut, caught at cow corner off Jhye Richardson by Glenn Maxwell. After the end of 47th over, India were 226/8. India need 47 runs in 18 balls.

35 runs in the last five overs. Some lusty hits from both the batsmen. Kedar Jadhav (40 off 52) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (33 off 46) have added 72 runs in 91 balls for the seventh wicket as India continued to fight. After 46 overs, India were 204/6, still needing 69 off 36 balls.

This is encouraging stuff from the Indian lower-order. 26 runs from 37 balls for Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneswhar Kumar. India were 158/6 after 35 overs. Still need another 115 runs from 90 balls.

Double wicket maiden. India are in deep trouble. Rohit Sharma (56 off 89; 4sX4) was all over the place. Came out with a wild swing, completely missed it and the bat too. And easy stumping. FoW - 131/5 (28.2). And the new batsman Ravindra Jadeja (0 of 3) became a victim of the game of millimetres. Quick work from Alex Carey though. stumped. Touch and go type. FoW - 132/6 (28.5 Over). And that brought Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the centre. India were 132/6 after 29 overs.

Adam Zampa dismissed Vijay Shankar (16 off 21; 6sX1), caught at long off by Usman Khawaja. He just hit a six. Not need to go for the maximum. 120/4 (24.4 Over). Kedar Jadhav joined Rohit Sharma, who, moments ago, went past 8000 ODI runs. India were 122/4 after 25 overs. Still need 151 runs.

Rishabh Pant's audition over. Nathan Lyon had him caught at slip by Ashton Turner. He made 16 off 16.FoW - 91/3 (17.5 Over). After 18 overs, India were 91/3. Rohit Sharma was unbeaten on 38 off 54. He got Vijay Shankar's company as India now look for a good stand. Still 182 runs adrift.

Marcus Stoinis got the better of Virat Kohli (20 off 22; 4sX2), caught behind. 68/2 (12.3 Over). And with that a 53-runs stand between the skipper and his deputy Rohit Sharma also came to an end. Rishabh Pant joined Rohit in the centre. India still need anothr 205 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan (12 off 15; 4sX2) walked. Caught behind off Pat Cummins. Faintest of nicks. FoW-15/1 (4.2 Over). Two balls later, new man Kohli hit a sumptous cover drive for a four. It was followed by a tight single. Rohit Sharma then hit his first four as India reached 24/1 in five overs.

Australia Innings

Run out of Jhye Richardson to end the Aussie innings. He made 29 off 21. Good work from Rishabh Pant to reach to the wicket and dislodge the bails. Australia set a 273-run target. In the last five overs, Aussies scored 44 runs, losing three wickets. 

From 175/1 to 230/7 after 46 overs. Brilliant fightback from India. In the 44th over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent back Marcu Stoinis (20 off 27), played on, then in the next over, Mohammed Shami had Alex Carey (3 off 9) caught behind. Australia were 230/7 after 46 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav got the wicket of dangerous looking Ashton Turner (20 off 20; 4sX2, 6sX1), caught at long-on by Ravindra Jadeja. FoW - 210/5 (41.2 Over). Then, Marcus Stoinis launched Yadav for a huge six. New man Alex Carey blocked the last ball of the over. 14 runs and a wicket from it. Australia were 217/5 after 42 overs. For India, both Yadav and Ravindraa Jadeja have completed their spells, for 74/1 and 45/2respectivelyy.

Mohammed Shami dismissed Peter Handscomb (52 off 60; 4sX4) as India continued to make inroads. Caught behind. Extra pace and extra bounce doing the trick for Shami. FoW - 182/4 (36.2 Over). And Ashton Turner opened the account with a four. After 37 overs, Australia were 188/4. 14 runs and three wickets in the last five over. Decisive period?

India back in the game. Back-to-back wickets. First, Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the prized wicket of Usman Khawaja (100 off 106; 4sX10, 6sX2). Sof dismissal for the Aussie opener. Caught at cover by Virat Kohli. FoW - 175/2 (32.6 Over). Then, Ravindra Jadeja got his second. He had Glenn Maxwell (1 off 3) caught by Kohli, again. FoW - 178/3 (33.5 Over). Peter Handscomb (49 off 51) was joined by Marcus Stoinis in the centre.

Second hundred for Usman Khawaja, brought up with a single off the fifth ball of the 32nd over, bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. 100 off 102 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes. He has dominated the Indian bowlers. His stand with Peter Handscomb already worth 98(105). Australia were 174/1 after 32 overs.

A run-a-ball 69-run stand between Usman Khawaja (84 off 79) and Peter Handscomb (34 off 34) was keeping Indians at bay in Delhi. In the last five overs, the Aussies have another 34 runs.

Usman Khawaja (58 off 58) notched up his eighth ODI fifty as Australia build on his consistency. 50, 38, 104 and 91 in the previous matches of the series. And he's got a perfect partner in Peter Handscomb (25 off 25). Meanwhile, India have utilised six bowlers so far. Australia were 111/1 after 21 overs. 24 of those came in the last five overs.

What a beauty from Ravindra Jadeja. Just turned enough to get the off-stump and Aaron Finch's gone. Bowled!The Aussie skipper made 27 off 43 balls with four fours. FoW - 76/1 (14.3 Over). Peter Handscomb joined Usman Khawaja (48 off 44) in the centre. Australia were 77/1 after 15 overs.

Usman Khawaja (35 off 38) and Aaron Finch (19 off 28)continued to build the Aussie innings. They have already added 54 runs in 66 balls. Jasprit Bumrah has been brilliant so far for India though, his figures after three overs read: 3-0-6-0.

Steady start from the Aussie openers. After five overs, the visitors were 30/0 , with Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch on 23 and 7 respectively.

For India, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared the new ball.

Toss and team news

Aussie captain Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bat first. 

Couple of changes for both the sides – Marcus Stoinis in for Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon in for Jason Behrendorff; Yuzvendra Chahal made way for Ravindra Jadeja while Mohammed Shami replaced KL Rahul.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon

India will hope their profligacy doesn't come back to haunt them when they meet a confident Australian outfit in the winner-take-all match of the series which will also be their last outing before the World Cup. For many in the Indian camp, it will be the final audition before summer's mega event.

Last time Aussies were in India for an ODI series, India thrashed them 4-1 despite the presence of Steve Smith and David Warner. But this time, India are facing the probability of losing both the T20I and ODI series at home, an unthinkable proposition for the hosts.

Irrespective of the result in the series finale, Australia have regained their lost ground, and if they manage to beat Pakistan before the World Cup later this month, the defending champions will head to the United Kingdom with confidence to defend the world title.

In contrast, a 'bruised' India will be forced to take a pragmatic approach when they leave for English shores. And with a long and demanding Indian Premier League season sandwiched in between, it's not the best time for Men in Blue.

But again, a win in the series finale will give something that Indian cricketers can cherish ahead of a hectic schedule.

Teams (from):

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon and Jason Behrendorff.