India vs Australia, 3rd ODI at Manuka Oval: As it happened

Having already lost the series, India will be playing for pride in this one while also testing their bench strength to some extent. Australia, on the other hand, will be gunning for a 3-0 series clean sweep.

Image credits: Twitter/@BCCI

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the third and final ODI between Australia and India at the Manuka Oval, Canberra.

India have defeated Australia by 13 runs in this third and final ODI at Manuka Oval. 

The series thus ends 2-1 in Australia's favor.

Earlier, India had won the toss and opted to bat first. India posted a competitive 302/5 on the board.

India have already lost the series after Australia comprehensively defeated them in the first two games and now in this dead rubber, they have nothing but pride to play for. They would be hoping that a new ground and new surroundings will turnaround their fortunes – the first two games were both played at the SCG.

Australia have been in red-hot form with the bat, scoring 374/6 and 389/4 in the two games played thus far with talisman Steve Smith making back to back hundreds, at a strike-rate of around 160.

Every single Aussie player has been amongst the runs. Glenn Maxwell, who managed just 108 runs in all of IPL 2020, has scored two rapid-fire half centuries – justifying his billing as the best finisher in the game right now.

The Indian bowlers have taken a combined 10 wickets from the two matches with the likes of Bumrah, Shami, and Chahal all looking sub-par - being taken to the cleaners by the Aussie batsmen.

India have been handed some breathing space as David Warner suffered a groin injury in the last game while Aussie pace spearhead Pat Cummins has also been rested for the remainder of the white-ball series.

With the T20I’s and the much awaited Test series still to come, the Indians would be seeking to build some much needed momentum in this game.

We expect at least a few changes to the Indian lineup for this one – the infusion of fresh blood can certainly lift those dropped shoulders.

The match as it happened:

03 December 2020

09:08 IST

Delhi-Noida border is closed today, on the third day of farmers' demonstration on the Delhi-UP border. The farmers say that unless their demands met with, an assurance that they waant in writing, the movement will continue. There is a possibility that more farmers will join the protests at the Delhi-Noida border within the next few hours. Farmers from different villages of Uttar Pradesh have congregated at Noida.

17:03 IST

India have defeated Australia by 13 runs, avoiding a series clean sweep. This victory has ensured a strong comeback for the Indians in this long series. 

The game changed when Australia lost two wickets in two balls - first Thakur removed Abbott on the final ball of the 47th over and then on the very first ball of the 48th over, debutant Natarajan picked his second, dismissing the well-set Agar. That was the final nail in the coffin and Bumrah was given the leverage, having to defend 16 runs in the final over. He did so with aplomb, trapping Zampa in front on the third ball of the final over. Australia: 289 (49.3 Overs)

Australia, still, emerge 2-1 victorious in the series.