Virat Kohli's fighting century went in vain as Australia stayed afloat in the series by pulling off a 32-run victory over India in the third One-day International at the JSCA Stadium on Friday.
India was bowled out for 281 in chase of 314 runs after Usman Khawaja ton and Adam Zampa's crucial blows helped Australia make it 1-2 in the five-match series.
Kohli again demonstrated his skill while chasing a target and made his intent clear of taking India home when he hit Marcus Stoinis for three boundaries in an over.
His tempo immediately changed once reaching to his hundred (41st in ODIs) but his stay was short-lived after getting clean bowled by Zampa on 123.
Vijay Shankar looked like pulling off the miracle with Ravindra Jadeja as company but his vigil was ended by Nathan Lyon on 32.
India stumbled in its run chase as Jhye Richardson extended Shikhar Dhawan's misery by removing him for 1, caught brilliantly by Glenn Maxwell at backward point.
Rohit Sharma (14) failed to convert the start and was trapped leg before by Pat Cummins. India was quickly reduced to 27/3 in 6.2 overs when Ambati Rayudu (2) lost his off stump to Cummins.
It was M.S. Dhoni and Kohli who took charge of the rescue act after the early jitters — which was punctuated by rotating strike and getting the odd boundaries.
The crowd erupted when Dhoni stepped out to Lyon and hit a 'helicopter' shot over mid-wicket for a six. The crowd's roar was immediately doused next over when Zampa castled Dhoni (26) with a quicker one.
Earlier, after put in to bat, Australia got off to a steady start and was 52 for no loss but not before Khawaja was dropped on 17 at backward point by Dhawan, attempting a reverse sweep.
India, failed to get an early breakthrough and made four bowling changes in 14 overs but to no success as Aaron Finch and Khawaja started to build on for the visitor.
The momentum and tempo shifted when off-spin slinger Jadhav was brought into the attack and conceded 13 runs and 19 runs of his next over, and never got to bowl after that.
With India trying out all options, Finch, who was battling for form crafted his innings really well along with Khawaja at the other end. Both had a composed approach and waited for the bad balls, which the Indian bowlers provided in plenty — add to that the sloppy fielding by the host.
Khawaja ton & Bumrah yorkers
The first breakthrough came in 31.4 overs when Kuldeep Yadav struck with the wicket of a well-set Finch, trapped leg before for 93. The dismissal of Finch saw Australia also set its highest opening partnership of 193 runs against India.
Khawaja, who too was in his 90s when Finch was dismissed got to his maiden ODI hundred with a single to square leg — raised his bat, removed his helmet and no wild celebration knowing his job was not done.
However, he couldn't last long when he pulled a short ball off Mohammed Shami to Jasprit Bumrah at short mid-wicket.
The Indians saw an opening to claw back with Australia 244/2 in 40 overs and was vindicated when Kuldeep struck in an over with the wickets of Shaun Marsh (7) and Peter Handscomb (0) to end with figures 3 for 64.
Prior to this over, the brilliance of Jadeja and Dhoni effected the run out of Maxwell (47) who could have proved dangerous in the death overs.
Bumrah was spot on with his yorkers as Australia's run-flow dropped but the sixth wicket partnership of 50 runs between Marcus Stoinis (31*) and Alex Carey (21*) carried their team to 313/5, highest score at this venue.
Moreover, Shami (1-52), Bumrah and Vijay Shankar were the only bowlers to finish with an economy under six, as India conceded 69 runs in the last 10 overs.
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