3rd ODI: Kohli’s century in vain as Australia down India

21:16  Kohli’s century in vain as Australia down India:  

Virat Kohli’s century went in vain as Australia outclassed India by 32 runs in the third ODI in Ranchi on Friday.

The victory helped Australia keep their hopes alive in the five-match series as they reduced India’s margin to 2-1.

Put into bat, Australia amassed a huge 313 for five with Usman Khawaja hitting 104, his maiden century in ODIs.

In reply, India never got going as they lost a few early wickets before Kohli came with a spirited century to keep his team in the hunt. He stroked a brilliant 123 but found little support from the other end, with no other batsmen going past 32, as India were bowled out for 281 in 48.2 overs.

Adam Zampa picked up three for 70, including the prized wicket of Kohli, while pacers Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins also claimed three wickets each.

Richardson strikes with the wicket of Jadeja, who is foxed by the slower ball as he ends up hitting it straight to mid-on to perish for 24.

Shami, who walks out wobbling, comes out all guns blazing. He tries to pull the first ball he faces only got a top edge which flies over fine leg for a four and two balls later, he smashes another boundary.

Richardson gets revenge as Shami smashes a slower wide bouncer straight to Cummins in the covers as the pacer picks his second wicket of the over.

The target keeps getting difficult for India as Richardson bowls a brilliant over in the circumstances.

The pacer concedes just three singles in his eighth over, as India need another 51 runs from four overs for victory.

Part-timer Maxwell is called into the attack to bowl the 47th over with two left-handers out in the middle.

Kuldeep takes one from the first ball before Jadeja slog sweeps the third ball over midwicket for a six. He takes two off the fifth ball before keeping strike with one from the last ball to get 10 from the over.

Pacer Richardson comes back into the attack. Jadeja runs the first ball down to thirdman for a single but new batsman Kuldeep Yadav is unable to get off strike as he plays four dot balls in a row.

He gets off the mark with a single to deep midwicket which also helps keep strike.

Lyon continues as Jadeja steers the first ball fine on the off-side past short thirdman for a four and then hits the next to long-on for one.

Kuldeep does the same next ball and Jadeja also picks a single to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Kuldeep sweeps the last ball to deep square leg for one.

20:51  Shankar out for 32; India 7 down:  

India need a few boundaries to get themselves back in the contest with Shankar and Jadeja just restricted to singles at the moment.

Another tight over from Cummins as he concedes just four singles with the asking rate going past nine.

Zampa to bowl his final over. Shankar slaps the second ball down the ground and he steals the second run after the fielder at long-on misfields.

A few balls later, Shankar plays the inside out lofted shot as Zampa goes wide for a four.

Zampa tries the quicker ball as he bowls a leg side wide. Shankar takes a single off the last ball as Zampa finishes with three for 70 from his 10 overs.

Off-spinner Lyon comes back into the attack. He starts with a wide down the leg side to Shankar, who then takes a single before Jadeja flicks it on the leg side for two runs and then takes one in the same region.

Shankar then comes down the track and slog sweeps Lyon over midwicket for a four to take India past 250.

He tries to repeat the shot last ball but ends up getting caught at deep midwicket to perish for 32.

India are 251 for seven in 43 overs, needing 63 runs from seven overs for victory.

The wicket of Kohli has affected India’s momentum as they can manage just two singles off Cummins, in the 39th over.

Zampa then has a huge appeal for leg before turned down against Jadeja twice in the next over.

Infact, the appeal off the last ball was quite close but Australia don’t have any reviews left. Jadeja was struck in line and the ball was going on to hit the stumps but the umpire turned it down and the bowler Zampa can’t believe his luck.

Since the wicket of Kohli, India have made just eight runs from 15 balls as the asking rate goes up to 8.7.

India are 227 for six in 40 overs, needing another 87 runs from 10 overs for victory.

20:26  Kohli out for 123; India lose 6th wicket:  

Kohli takes on Zampa as he slog sweeps the leggie over the leg side and despite miscuing it, he manages to clear long-on for a six.

Shankar attempts the heave but is beaten before he gets a thick outside edge trying to play the cut shot for a four as the edge flies past wicketkeeper Carey.

Pacer Cummins comes back into the attack. Kohli turns the second ball on the leg side and pushes Shankar to come back for the second.

Shankar then gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps to fine leg for one and Kohli keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Kohli takes on Zampa with successive boundaries off the first two balls — through the covers and midwicket as he looks to take control.

But Zampa gets revenge as he cleans up Kohli, who is bowled after a splendid knock of 123 from 95 balls.

In a dismissal similar to Dhoni, Kohli misses a full delivery as he looks to whip it over midwicket and is bowled.

A big boost for Australia as India still need 95 from 75 balls for victory at 7.5 per over.

20:15  Kohli hits century to keep India in the hunt:  

Maxwell comes back into the attack. The second ball is short and wide as Shankar cuts it behind point for a four before he is beaten next ball by one which goes straight on.

Another tidy over from Zampa as he gives away just four singles.

Kohli, on 98, gets a lifeline as wicketkeeper Carey puts down a straightforward catch after the Indian captain edged one which went straight on.

Two balls later, Shankar attempts to sweep but is hit on the pads as the leg before appeal is turned down. The ball looks to have pitched outside the line of leg stump as Australia take the review and the ball tracker confirms it was outside the line and they end up losing their only review.

Shankar takes one off the next ball before Kohli takes two runs to race to his century from 85 balls.

This is his second century in a row and his 41st overall in ODIs as his golden run with the bat continues.

India are 191 for five in 35 overs, needing 123 runs from 15 overs at asking rate of over eight.

19:59  Jadhav out for 26; India 5 down:  

Maxwell looking to just bowl tight and complete the fifth bowler’s quota without giving too much away.

He sends down a tidy over, conceding just two singles, in his second over.

Lyon again strays down the leg side as Kohli nudges it fine for a four. He tries to whip the next ball over midwicket but fails to make proper connection before taking one.

He has a close shave next ball as Jadhav clips it straight to midwicket and calls him for a quick run and he is lucky that Maxwell missed the direct hit.

India are 160 for four in 30 overs, needing another 154 runs from 20 overs for victory.

Pacer Richardson, who bowled a superb first spell comes back into the attack. The second ball is down the leg side as Kohli glances it fine for a four.

He takes a couple of steps down and blasts the next ball through the covers for another boundary before taking a quick run to take his score to 90.

Australia in need of a breakthrough as the Kohli-Jadhav stand continues to grow. Kohli hits the first ball uppishly just wide of the fielder at point for a four and then takes one to take his score to 95.

But Zampa makes the breakthrough the wicket of Jadhav, who goes for the sweep but is beaten and trapped leg before wicket. Kohli instructs him not to take the DRS as the impact right in front and he walks back for 26.

Zampa comes back into the attack as he changes end and takes over from Lyon.

A single each to Jadhav and Kohli before the former pulls a short ball through midwicket for a four.

In the next over, Kohli drives a full wide delivery from Stoinis through the covers for a four.

The fifth ball is slightly short and on the pads as the India captain whips it off his pads for a boundary before producing another cracking drive through the covers for the third four of the over.

Part-time spinner Maxwell comes into the attack. Kohli looks to flick the third ball across the line on the leg side as he is hit on the pads and the ball goes over the stumps but the huge shout for leg before is turned down. Even wicketkeeper Carey is beaten as India get four leg byes in the process.

Jadhav then lofts a full delivery back over the bowler’s head for a four as Maxwell goes for 11 in his first over.

Double change as Lyon comes in from the other end. Jadhav takes a chance as he attempts the reverse sweep but is beaten as Lyon bowls a tidy over, giving away just three singles.

19:30  Kohli hits half-century as India go past 100:  

Lyon looking to keep it simple, stop the flow of runs and build some pressure in the middle overs as he gives away just four singles in his fifth over.

Four runs in the next over bowled by Zampa, including a leg bye, as India go past the 100-run mark, in the 22nd over.

The two spinners in tandem have kept India in check despite Kohli scoring at nearly run-a-ball, for 49 from 51 balls.

Another quiet over from Lyon, which goes for four runs, as Kohli and Jadhav are content to bide their time.

Stoinis comes back as Kohli runs the first ball down to thirdman for one to complete his fifty, from 52 balls — his 50th fifty in ODIs.

Jadhav is hit high on the pads as the LBW appeal is turned down. And Kohli then pulls a short ball, which is slower in pace, fine on the leg side for a four.

The next ball is fuller and down the leg side as Kohli glances it fine for another boundary.

19:13  Dhoni out for 26; India lose 4th wicket:  

Australia building up the pressure with some tight overs. Lyon concedes just a single off the first four balls before Dhoni comes down and swings it on the leg side but only for one.

Spin from both ends as Adam Zampa comes in from the other end. He starts with a short ball down the leg side as Dhoni looks to pull it fine but can’t beat the fielder inside the circle.

He then survives a leg before appeal as he comes down the track and tries to turn it on the leg side but is hit on the pads.

Zampa bowls a leg side wide before Kohli takes a single. The spinner drops short again and Dhoni again pulls it to deep midwicket only for one.

Kohli pulls the last ball in the gap through midwicket to get two runs off the final delivery.

In the next over, Lyon gets one to turn sharply but it slips down the leg side and is called a wide. Dhoni sweeps the next ball fine before Kohli clips the next through square leg for two runs followed by a single.

Dhoni then comes down the track and lofts Lyon over the midwicket fence for a six to send his home fans into a frenzy.

However, Zampa silences the entire stadium with the big wicket of Dhoni, who is bowled for 26. The veteran went for the big hit over the leg side, but got a thick inside edge which crashed into the leg stump.

Kedar Jadhav survives a huge shout for leg before wicket first ball as he comes forward to defend. He then rocks back and steers last ball past short thirdman for a four and then takes one.

Kohli pulls the last ball square on the leg side for a four to take his score to 43.

India are reeling on 95 for four in 20 overs, needing another 219 runs for victory in 30 overs at an asking rate of 7.3.

Change of ends for Stoinis as Cummins is taken off. He continues to be miserly with the ball, giving away just four singles for a total of seven runs in three overs.

Lyon, from round the wicket, has a huge appeal for leg before turned against Kohli. But he had got a clear inside edge as the umpire rejected the appeal.

India are 57 for three in 15 overs, with another 257 runs needed for victory from 35 overs at an asking rate of over seven.

Stoinis drifts wide as Kohli punches it on the up through the covers for a four. That boundary helps him complete 4000 ODI runs as captain in just 63 innings — the quickest to achieve the landmark.

He clips the next on the leg side for two runs before taking one and Dhoni hits the last ball to deep point for two more runs.

18:44  Kohli, Dhoni steady India:  

Stoinis continues as Kohli takes a single off the first ball followed by five dot balls in a row to Dhoni.

Cummins comes back into the attack, replacing Richardson, who took one for 15 in five overs, including two maidens.

Kohli again takes a single off the second ball and Dhoni is beaten by a full delivery which moves away lightly.

He picks one and Kohli does the same next ball. Cummins produces another beauty, full and moving away, to beat Dhoni for the second time in the over.

Spin introduced as Nathan Lyon comes into the attack. He starts from round the wicket as Kohli flicks the second ball to long-on for one.

Dhoni flicks the fourth ball through the same region for a single and Kohli glances the last ball fine for a four to bring up India’s 50, in the 13th over.

Richardson has settled into a good line and length as Kohli is unable to get a run off the first four deliveries.

He drifts slightly on the stumps as Kohli is able to flick it through midwicket for two runs and then blocks the last ball.

Marcus Stoinis comes into the attack in place of Cummins. He makes a tidy start, giving away just three runs in his first over, including a leg bye.

After a good start, Richardson going for runs in his fifth over. The fast bowler drops it short and wide as Dhoni flays it through point for a four.

He tries a bouncer as Dhoni pulls it through square for a four to take India to 40 for three in 10 overs.

18:20  Rayudu fails with the bat; India 3 down:  

India finding it hard against Richardson, who has not conceded a run from the 15 balls bowled as Rayudu is beaten twice in a row outside the off-stump.

Rayudu denies Richardson a hat-trick of maiden overs as he takes a single off the fifth ball and Kohli hits the last ball through point for a four.

Cummins makes it worse for India with the wicket of Rayudu, who is bowled through the gate for two.

India are left reeling on 27 for three in the seventh over.

Local hero Mahendra Singh Dhoni walks out to a huge ovation in what could be his last appearance in an international match at this venue.

Dhoni watchfully plays out the remaining four deliveries as Cummins sends down a wicket maiden.

Out of the first seven overs bowled by the Australian pacers, three have been maiden overs.

18:09  Openers perish early; India in trouble:  

Rohit has a close shave as he inside edges Cummins but it narrowly misses the stumps and goes fine on the leg side for a four.

But Cummins gets his man two balls later, as Rohit is trapped leg before wicket for 14.

The ball came in as Rohit was caught on the crease trying to defend and was hit in line.

The on-field umpire ruled it not out before Australia take the review and rightly so as the ball hit in line and was going to hit the middle stump.

An important innings for Ambati Rayudu, who gets off the mark with a single to thirdman.

Kohli then drives the next to the covers where the fielder lets it go through for two runs before he cuts the last ball square for a four.

18:02  Dhawan out for 1; India lose early wicket:  

Cummins offers some width as Rohit steers it past point for a four to get off the mark in confident fashion.

He defends the next four balls before lofting the last ball straight back over the bowler’s head for a six.

Richardson builds up the pressure on Dhawan with two dot balls in a row before the left-hander slashes at a wide delivery and is caught by Maxwell at point.

Richardson has not concede a single run from the first nine balls bowled, while picking up the early wicket of Dhawan.

Dhawan’s position in the team will come under the scanner especially with KL Rahul waiting in the sidelines.

Virat Kohli defends the remaining three deliveries as Richardson bowls his second maiden in a row.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to open the batting for India, with the former needing some runs to make sure of his spot in the team and also looking ahead at the World Cup.

Pat Cummins opens the bowling for Australia. Dhawan taps the first ball gently into the covers and picks a quick run to get off the mark.

Rohit, who was dismissed for a duck in the previous game, watchfully defends the rest of the over as just a single comes from the first over.

Jhye Richardson makes the perfect start with the ball. He stats off his spell with a maiden over to Dhawan. Infact, Dhawan was unlucky not to get a boundary in the over as Maxwell made a terrific stop at point.

Just a single run from the first two overs.

17:43  Khawaja hits century to lift Australia to 313:  

Opener Usman Khawaja hit a century to power Australia to 313 for five against India in the third ODI in Ranchi.

Khawaja hit 104, putting on 193 runs for the opening wicket with Aaron Finch, who made 93, after they were put into bat.

Glenn Maxwell, promoted to No. 3, scored a quickfire 47 from 31 balls before Australia lost their way with a few quick wickets.

Kuldeep Yadav picked up three quick wickets as India managed to pull back things in the end.

Marcus Stoinis stroked 31 not out from 26 balls, while Alex Carey made 21 not out from 17 balls to score some quick runs at the end.

Superb death bowling from Bumrah as Stoinis is beaten first ball. He smashes the next ball straight but ends up hitting the stumps at the non-striker’s end for another dot ball.

Bumrah then bowls a quick yorker which Stoinis inside edges it back on to his toes and manages just one.

Carey hits the fourth ball into the covers for another run before Stoinis steers a wide delivery past short thirdman for a four. He is hit on the pads again by a quick yorker from Bumrah as they sneak a quick run.

In the next over, Stoinis hits Shami through the leg side for two runs followed by four singles. The last ball is on the pads as Carey manages to clip it square on the leg side for a four to take Australia past the 300-run mark, in the 49th over.

Bumrah to bowl the final over. Carey is beaten first ball before he hits the second ball square on the off-side for a four.

He takes a single next ball before Stoinis is beaten by a wide yorker.

Bumrah tries the slower ball but Stoinis is able to crash it through the covers for a four but gets only one off the last ball.

Shami comes back into the attack. Two singles from the first two balls before Stoinis crashes a short wide delivery square on the off-side for a four.

Shami looking to keep it simple, full and on the stumps, as Australia pick another three singles from the last three deliveries to get nine from the over.

Bumrah, who has three overs in hand, comes back. He sends down a superb over, as he gives away just three singles as Australia struggle in the death overs.

Carey breaks the shackles in the next over with back to back fours off Shami. He hits the second ball through the covers for a four before clubbing a length ball straight back past the bowler for another boundary.

A couple of dot balls before Carey slaps the last ball through the covers to get two runs and make it 11 from the over.

16:39  Kuldeep’s double strike lifts India:  

Marcus Stoinis tries a cheeky reverse paddle against Jadeja but is beaten before he takes one to long-off to get off the mark.

A good final over from Jadeja, giving away just four runs, to finish with 64 runs from his 10 overs.

Kuldeep strikes in his final over with the wicket of Marsh, who tries to play a lofted shot down the ground and is caught at long-on for seven.

He strikes again two balls later as Peter Handscomb is trapped leg before wicket for a duck trying to flick it across the line on the leg side.

Kuldeep has taken three wickets for one run in the space of seven deliveries to bring India back into the contest as Australia are reduced to 263 for five in 44 overs.

That was a poor decision from the umpire as the ball turned in sharply and was missing the leg stump comfortably and Handscomb must consider himself unlucky to be given out.

Kuldeep finishes with three for 64 in 10 overs as Australia are in danger of finishing below the 300-run mark after losing poised for much more after the first 30 overs.

Bumrah comes back into the attack. Maxwell clips the third ball through midwicket where Rayudu misfields, letting it go through his leg, to give away two runs and then takes one on the leg side.

Maxwell is lucky to survive as Marsh taps it to covers and sets for a quick run. Rayudu was quick to get the ball but missed the direct hit with Maxwell struggling to make his crease.

Bumrah then has a confident shout for leg before turned down against Maxwell, who was beaten by a full delivery tailing in sharply.

Australia are on course for a huge total as they reach 244 for two in 40 overs, with Maxwell on 37 from 24 balls and Marsh on one.

They will hope for a strong finish, possibly another 80-100 runs in the final 10 to end up with a huge total.

Jadeja is back into the attack. Maxwell picks one from the first ball before Marsh clips the next to deep midwicket where he is forced to come back for the second by his partner.

A single to Marsh off the fourth ball before Kohli misfields off the last ball in the covers to give away a single to Maxwell.

India have managed to pull back things, giving away just 17 runs from the last four overs, while picking up a wicket.

Kuldeep comes back and immediately Maxwell breaks free. He makes room and lofts the first ball over the cover fence for a six and then takes one to long-off.

Marsh does well to turn the strike over with one to sweeper cover.

Kuldeep not afraid to toss the ball up as Maxwell is deceived by the wrong one as he has a huge swing but is beaten. The appeal for stumping is referred to the TV umpire but Maxwell has managed to drag his feet back.

Marsh hits the fifth ball hard into the covers where Jadeja makes a fine stop and his quick throw back to Dhoni, who does well to collect the ball in front of the stumps and quickly flick it on the stumps to run out dangerman Maxwell.

Maxwell walks back after quickfire 47 from 31 balls, inclusive of three fours and three sixes.

Shankar continues as he bowls his eighth over with India looking to get the fifth bowler’s quota out of the way.

He bowls a tidy over under the circumstances, conceding just five, for a total of 44 runs in eight overs, not bad returns on a flat wicket.

Jadeja has also struggled with the ball, giving away 55 in eight overs, and was hit for 16 in his previous over with Maxwell going after him.

India bring back Shami, who has four overs left. He makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Khawaja, who plays the pull shot but is caught at midwicket for 104, having scored his maiden century in ODIs.

Shaun Marsh defends the rest of the over as Shami bowls a superb over, picking up the wicket of the well-set batsman while conceding just two singles.

16:02  Khawaja hits century; Australia set for huge score:  

Glenn Maxwell is promoted to No. 3 and India continue with Bumrah as they look for another wicket or two.

Maxwell and Khawaja carefully play out the fast bowler, taking two singles from his sixth over.

Khawaja attempts a suicidal run to Jadeja on the off-side but he misses the stumps with the batsman struggling to make his crease.

Maxwell then comes down the track and lofts Kuldeep back over his head for a straight six to take Australia past 200 in the 34th over.

At the drinks break, Australia are well placed on 204 for one in 34 overs, with Khawaja on 94 and Maxwell on nine.

Bumrah, who has four overs in hand, is taken off to keep his overs for the end as Jadeja comes back.

Maxwell turns the second ball on the leg side for one and Khawaja also clips it to fine leg for one.

Jadeja goes full as Maxwell hits it to long-on for a single and Khawaja does the same off the last ball to retain strike.

Double bowling change as Shankar comes back from the other end. The first ball is short as Khawaja pulls it through midwicket for two runs to inch closer to his century.

He opens the face of the bat and steers a wide delivery to thirdman to take his score to 99.

Maxwell gets a huge stride forward and crashes a half-volley in the gap through the covers for a four and then takes a single next ball.

In the next over, Maxwell lofts Jadeja down the ground as he clears the fielder at long-on for a six. He swings the next ball over the vacant midwicket region for a four and then plays the inside out lofted shot off the next ball for another boundary.

Maxwell in ominous touch as he races to 30 from 15 balls, with two sixes and three fours before he takes one to bring Khawaja on strike.

Khawaja shuffles across and tries to turn Jadeja on the leg side but is hit on the pads as the leg before appeal is turned down. He clips the last ball to deep square leg for one to complete his century from 107 balls.

15:42  Finch out for 93; Aus lose 1st wicket:  

Jadeja not giving it much flight, looking to bowl flat and not allow the batsmen to attack him.

A tidy over from the left-arm spinner as Australia pick three singles from the over.

While Australia are not attacking Jadeja, they are time and again taking the chance against Kuldeep.

Finch comes down the track and lofts Kuldeep over midwicket for a four to take his score into the 90s.

He then gets a huge stride forward and tries to sweep Kuldeep but is hit on the pads. The LBW appeal is turned down again as Finch was clearly hit outside the line.

India are forced to bring back Bumrah in a bid to break this opening stand, which is inching towards the 200-run mark.

Khawaja guides the first ball wide of thirdman for two runs before the pacer bowls a leg side wide.

Bumrah drops short as Khawaja goes for the pull but fails to connect followed by a couple of singles.

Finch and Khawaja have read Kuldeep very well today and not let the spinner settle down, using his feet regularly.

It is Kuldeep, who makes the breakthrough as he gets Finch leg before wicket for 93. The Australia captain went back to clip it fine but missed and was hit on the pads to be given out leg before wicket.

After a chat with his partner Khawaja, Finch decides to take the DRS.

The decision goes against Australia as Finch was hit in line and the ball is going on to hit the middle stump.

Finch misses out on a century as he walks back after a good innings of 93 from 99 balls, having put on 193 runs for the opening wicket with Khawaja from 191 balls, to lay a solid foundation for the visitors.

15:24  Finch, Khawaja take Australia past 150:  

Kuldeep has a huge appeal for LBW against Finch turned down as the right-hander attempted the sweep shot but seems to have got a bit of glove before the ball hit the pads.

Finch then takes a few steps down and hits it long-on for one and Khawaja cuts it past point for two runs followed by a single.

Finch plays right back to the last ball, flicking it behind square for a single to keep strike.

Spin from both ends now as Jadeja comes in from the other end. Australia pick three singles from the spinner’s fifth over to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Khawaja slog sweeps Kuldeep over midwicket for a six to pile further pressure on India as he attacks their key bowler in the middle overs.

India are struggling with their bowling on a flat wicket, preferring to go in with four bowlers and a couple of all-rounders.

Finch goes for the sweep as he fails to hit it off the middle as it flicks the pads and goes fine for a four. The umpire turns down the LBW appeal as he felt that Finch had got an inside edge.

15:16  Finch, Khawaja take Australia past 150:  

Shami again Finch some trouble with the incoming delivery as he misses the flick on the leg side but again the LBW appeal is turned down.

Shami’s speed has been way below his normal speed in this spell. He had gone off after bowling three overs after he was struck by the ball on his follow through and he seems to be affected by it somewhat.

Finch gets the shot right, three balls later, clipping Shami through midwicket for two runs.

The Indian fielding has been quite poor today. This time Shankar in the covers misses an easy stop, letting the ball go through to gift Finch a boundary.

A desperate India bring back Kuldeep as they look to break the opening stand.

Khawaja pulls the second ball to midwicket for one and Finch drives the fourth ball to long-on for another single.

The last ball is short as Khawaja rocks back and pulls it over midwicket for a four.

Shankar comes back into the attack. Finch drives the second ball down to long-on for a single. The fourth ball is down the leg side as Khawaja whips it behind square leg for a four to bring up Australia’s 150, in the 25th over.

He plays a nice cover drive next ball but Rayudu at long-off does well to slide and keep the ball and give away just two runs.

The last ball is short and Khawaja slashes it past point for another four as Shankar goes for 11 in his sixth over.

Australia are looking set for a huge total as they reach 156 for no loss in 25 overs, with Finch on 73 and Khawaja on 76.

15:04  Finch, Khawaja hit 50s; Australia in control:  

Medium pacer Shankar back into the attack. Australia keep the scoreboard ticking as they pick three singles from the over to take the score to 124 for no loss in 20 overs.

Shami gets the ball to jag in sharply as Finch is hit on the pads but the impact is too high and the LBW appeal is turned down.

India looking to dry up the boundaries and create some pressure to force the two well-set batsmen into a mistake.

Finch and Khawaja have done well to play positive against the spinners, forcing India to use pace from both ends at the moment.

Another tidy from Shami as he gives away three runs for a total of 14 runs in five overs.

In the next over, Shankar drifts on the pads as Khawaja clips it through midwicket for three runs as Dhawan does well to run to his right and keep the ball inside the boundary.

Shankar gives away six runs in his fifth over as Australia reach 133 for no loss in 22 overs.

Finch has made 68 from 66 balls, while Khawaja has scored 58 from as many balls.

Kuldeep, who bowled just one over earlier on, comes back into the attack. Khawaja takes one from the third ball before Finch sweeps the last ball square but Rohit Sharma at deep square leg lets it go through to give away a four.

Shami comes back on the field and he immediately gets the ball. He bowled a tight spell earlier, giving away just seven runs in three overs, before he was hit on the chin by the straight drive from Finch.

Five runs from the over including a leg bye as Khawaja also completes his fifty, from 56 balls.

Both the openers have completed their half-centuries as Australia race to 121 for no loss in 19 overs.

14:40  Finch hits fifty as Australia go past 100:  

Part-timer Kedar Jadhav comes into the attack in place of Jadeja. Finch slog sweeps the first ball over midwicket for a six before the part-time spinner bowls a leg side wide.

Finch tries to sweep the next ball which again goes fine and beats Dhoni and is called as three wides.

Three more singles as Jadhav goes for 13 runs in his first over.

Shankar, meanwhile, bowls another tidy over as he concedes just four singles in third over.

Captain Kohli persists with part-timer Kedar despite going for runs in his first over.

Finch continues to target Kedar as he hits him over long-on for a six and then cuts the next ball past point for a four as Australia go past the 100-run mark, in the 17th over.

Finch again plays the lofted shot down the ground and narrowly manages to clear the fielder at long-on for another six before taking one on the leg side and Khawaja sweeps the last ball fine for one, as 19 come from the over.

The normally-reliable Jadhav has gone for runs, conceding 32 in his first two overs.

14:30  Khawaja, Finch give Australia a good start:  

Jadeja is unhappy with the fielding, he had a catch dropped in his first over and now Kedar Jadhav at deep square leg fumbles to give away two runs as Khawaja plays the sweep shot.

He sweeps the third ball fine for one before Finch cracks the next through point for a four as Jadeja drops short.

Jadeja has been expensive, giving away 23 runs in his first three overs.

Medium pacer Vijay Shankar comes into the attack in place of Kuldeep, who bowled just one over.

He starts with a wide half-volley which Khawaja drills through the covers for a four but is beaten off the next two balls.

Jadeja continues and this time the two openers easily clip him for six runs in his fourth over.

Shankar sticks to a good line and length in his second over as he concedes just three singles.

Australia are building a nice platform for their lower order, cutting out on the risks, to take the score to 75 for no loss in 14 overs, with Khawaja on 42 and Finch on 31.

Khawaja looks to pull Bumrah but fails to make proper connection. The next ball is again on the pads but much fuller as the left-hander clips it through square leg for a four.

Khawaja trying to disrupt Jadeja as he brings out the reverse sweep again, hitting it past short thirdman for a four.

Spin from both ends in the Powerplay as Kuldeep Yadav comes in from the other end.

He starts with a poor delivery, on the pads, as Finch clips it past short fine leg for a four. The Australia captain lofts the fifth ball back over the bowler’s head for another boundary to take Australia to 52 for no loss in 10 overs.

14:04  Khawaja, Finch give Australia a good start:  

In the next over, Shami has another LBW appeal turned down against Finch as the Aussie captain again has problems with the incoming delivery.

A good over from Shami as he concedes just a single in his second over.

Khawaja takes on the short ball from Bumrah pulling it through square leg for a four before he is beaten by one which moves away.

Finch looking in good touch, playing some good shots but is unable to find the gaps. He plays a cracking straight drive which hits Shami on the shoes on his follow through before he takes a single from the last ball.

Shami seems to have hurt himself after being struck by the ball on his follow through. He has made a tidy start giving away just seven runs from three overs.

In the next over, Bumrah gets Khawaja to edge one but it goes wide of Dhoni for a four.

Shami is off the field as Ravindra Jadeja is introduced early into the attack, to bowl the seventh over.

Khawaja reverse sweeps the second ball for a boundary through the thirdman region. Khawaja (13) tries the shot again but this time it goes straight to Dhawan at point who puts down a simple catch.

The last ball is short as Khawaja rocks back and slaps it through the covers for another four.

Mohammed Shami opens the bowling for India. The first ball is on the pads as Aaron Finch is hit on the pads and he manages to pick a leg bye to get Australia off the mark.

The next ball beats Usman Khawaja as it moves away enough to go past the edge. But the third ball is on the pads as Khawaja flicks it through square leg for a four to get off the mark in some style.

Shami bowls another wide before Khawaja plays out the rest of the opening over, which goes for six runs.

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. He drops slightly short and wide as Finch punches it through the covers for a four and two balls later slashes another wide delivery uppishly past point for another boundary.

Bumrah then beats Finch with a sharp incoming delivery striking him on the pads but the confident shout for LBW is turned down. India decide to take the DRS but the ball is going over the stumps and India end up losing their only review very early in the innings.

13:10  Unchanged India elect to bowl vs Australia:  

India captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and elected to bowl in the third One-Day International in Ranchi.

India, who have taken a 2-0 lead, have retained the same playing eleven.

Interestingly, the Indian team are sporting camouflage caps as a tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwana terror attack, says Virat Kohli.

Australia have made one change as Jhye Richardson replaces Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has gone back for the birth of his child.

“#TeamIndia will be sporting camouflage caps today as mark of tribute to the loss of lives in Pulwama terror attack and the armed forces,” tweeted BCCI.

“And to encourage countrymen to donate to the National Defence Fund for taking care of the education of the dependents of the martyrs #JaiHind.”

13:01  Ranchi awaits a fairytale Dhoni swansong:  

Welcome to the coverage of the third One-Day International between India and Australia in Ranchi on Friday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s final homecoming forms a poignant subplot of an utterly dominant Indian team’s quest for an unassailable 3-0 lead in the third ODI against Australia, in Ranchi, on Friday.

A 3-0 lead in the five-match series will be a perfect parting gift for Ranchi’s favourite son, who, in all likelihood, will be seen wearing the India Blues for the last time at his home ground.

There has been a sense of dją vu every time Dhoni has stepped on to the field in the ongoing series.

It reminded many of Tendulkar’s penultimate Test series against Australia in 2013, when the cheer from the stands would amplify with each passing match.

Something similar has been happening at every ground in this series, with the fans possibly beginning to realise that the legend may not be around when India next play at home.

Amidst the emotional side story, the Indian team is grappling with a few teething issues regarding its top-order batting, especially senior opener Shikhar Dhawan’s poor form, which has affected India’s starts of late.

Despite Dhawan having gone off the boil with only two half-centuries in the last 15 ODIs, India are unlikely to tinker with the winning combination of the first two encounters.

KL Rahul, who is back in form, may have to wait till India clinch the series, but the team management could well try him out at the No. 3 position.

The two victories — by six wickets and eight runs — weren’t exactly convincing but pulling off close matches under pressure will certainly add to the confidence.

The bowling has been superb in both games with Australia failing to reach 250 but save Virat Kohli, who stamped his class with another hundred on a slow Jamtha track, none of the other batsmen have looked the part so far.

Vice-captain Rohit Sharma, the second most consistent player in this line-up, looked good in the first game before he got out.

Kedar Jadhav and Dhoni shepherded India in the first match and didn’t trouble the scorers in the next.

Ambati Rayudu, whose only significant knock was the 90 against New Zealand in the last away series, has also been inconsistent and can be replaced with Rahul.

Rayudu, who has retired from first-class cricket, has found it difficult and his primary problem has been not being able to rotate the strike.

If Dhawan is persisted with, the best way to give Rahul at least three games is to bring him at No. 3 and the skipper coming at No 4 in place of Rayudu.

There are no such worries about Indian bowling as they have performed as a unit. The biggest gain in the second game has been Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar performing their combined role of a fifth bowler to perfection.

Shankar’s two wickets while bowling the final over will also instil confidence in his captain that in case Hardik Pandya has a breakdown, he has a fallback option in the Tamil Nadu all-rounder.