India beat Australia to win ODI series

India rode on a strong batting performance to defeat Australia by five wickets in the third One-Day International (ODI) and clinch the five-match series at the Holkar Stadium here on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 294 runs, India crossed the line in 47.5 overs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

With this win, India skipper Virat Kohli equalled predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni's record run of nine ODI wins on the trot.

Dhoni's winning streak as captain stretched from February 2008 to January 2009. Kohli's winning run started on July 26 this year.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane gave India a fine start with a partnership of 139 runs.

Rohit scored 71 runs off 62 balls. The Mumbai batsman was in fine form, smashing the ball four times into the stands and six times to the ropes.

Rahane hit nine boundaries while scoring 70 runs off 76 balls.

Later, Hardik Pandya produced a power-packed knock lower down the order to carry the hosts to the cusp of victory.

The Baroda all-rounder top scored for the hosts with 78 runs off 72 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and four sixes along the way.

Pacer Pat Cummins was the most successful among the Australian bowlers with figures of 2/54. Fellow pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar took a wicket each.

--IANS

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