Australia, on the back of Khwaja-Finch opening stand has put a total of 313 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the third ODI here at Ranchi. India won the toss and put the underfiring Australian team to bat at the homeground of MS Dhoni in which the Australian opening pair got much needed runs for their confidence.
Aaron Finch fell to a Kuldeep Yadav special who got his leg before wicket after a 193 run stand with Usman Khwaja. Coming out at number 3, the in-form Glenn Maxwell also played a handy knock of 47 runs off 31 deliveries while Khwaja scored 104 off 113 balls comprising of 11 fours and 1 six.
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"I was just look to bat and bat without thinking too far ahead. Finchy played an excellent knock too. Obviously the work isn't done yet, we've got 313 and need to bowl well so that we can defend it. Yes, it's pleasing as it's been a while since I got that 98, so really glad but don't want to look too far ahead. Need to start well with the ball and also field well as it's a fast outfield. If we can put on a good effort all-round, hopefully 313 should be enough for us. He (Finch) went through the gears really well, respected the good balls, took the ones and went after the bowling when he got the opportunity. Unfortunate that he couldn't got a century but he batted really well.," said Usman Khwaja after his maiden ODI century.
It will be interesting to see how Ambati Rayudu bats here as he has misfired in the first two ODIs and a failure in this ODI might just open a slot for KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant.