India win by 99 runs (DLS method) and that's a very comprehensive performance, despite Australia's tail wagging. Five losses in a row now for Australia and concerns mounting ahead of the World Cup even if some players are still due to return. You have to question their tactics today, bowling first on a hot day. The pitch certainly turned more later on. India were excellent from start to (almost) finish. Their batting looks in very good order and R Ashwin has put some pressure on the selectors. One more game in this series, with key names from both sides set to return. Australia need a good outing.
Arv: "Shreyas, Surya and Ashwin have given the selectors and team management a major headache now! Don't even know who the best 11 are, we have a best 15!" - That's confidence!
Hitesh: "Most boxes are getting ticked for Ind in last few games except for the catching"
Steven Smith "When we came here it looked a good wicket, changed a little bit. Credit to India, they batted beautifully...400 was always a big challenge on that. I've seen games here before and it's looked good for chasing. We were a fair way off. We've lost quite a few in a row now...World Cups are about peaking at the right time, we certainly haven't done that at this stage. A few things to sort out. We know we are a good side. Both teams are working towards the World Cup but still want to win games.
KL Rahul "When I saw the wicket, didn't think it would spin that much. 400 on the board also gives you confidence. [Selection] is the headache of the coach and Rohit...whoever gets picked has a job to do. Sitting out can be hard after scoring a lot of runs but everyone has been through that. I know we dropped a couple of catches, but when you are traveling every second day and playing at a different ground is getting used to the lights. A lot of guys have been playing for a long time...we are trying to manage bodies and fielding is directly related to how fresh you are."
Shreyas Iyer is Player of the Match. "It was a rollercoaster ride. I've been working so hard the last few months, was a lonely space. Excited to be back and enjoying the atmosphere in the dressing room. I was seeing matches on the TV and wanted to be out there. I'm grateful to belief in myself...I knew what I was aiming for and glad I was able to execute my plans today. My plan was the play in the V and not complicate things. I was batting brilliantly in the nets. I'm happy to bat any position. Whatever the team requires. There's no chance for me to steal from him [Virat]."
Right, on that note I'll wrap things up for tonight. We'll be back in a few days for the final match of this series as the World Cup gets ever closer. For now, from Gnasher and Sreshth, it's goodbye.
SA Abbott b Jadeja 54 (46m 36b 4x4 5x6) SR: 150.00
END OF OVER:28 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 217/9 (100 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 7.75, RRR: 20.00)
- Sean Abbott54 (34b)
- Mohammed Shami6-0-39-1
- Ravichandran Ashwin7-0-41-3
Deepak: "This innings from Sean Abbott reminds me of James Faulkner's inning from 2013 in Bangalore." Quite a few have said that
JR Hazlewood b Mohammed Shami 23 (30m 16b 2x4 2x6) SR: 143.75
END OF OVER:27 | 6 Runs | AUS: 205/8 (112 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 7.59, RRR: 18.66)
- Sean Abbott51 (32b)
- Josh Hazlewood14 (12b)
- Ravichandran Ashwin7-0-41-3
- Mohammed Shami5-0-27-0
END OF OVER:26 | 11 Runs | AUS: 199/8 (118 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 7.65, RRR: 16.85)
- Josh Hazlewood14 (12b)
- Sean Abbott45 (26b)
- Mohammed Shami5-0-27-0
- Ravichandran Ashwin6-0-35-3
Shami into the attack
END OF OVER:25 | 10 Runs | AUS: 188/8 (129 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 7.52, RRR: 16.12)
- Josh Hazlewood14 (11b)
- Sean Abbott34 (21b)
- Ravichandran Ashwin6-0-35-3
- Prasidh Krishna6-0-56-2
Now slip comes in