India outplay Australia to clinch ODI series

AFP – A sparkling century by Rohit Sharma and inspired bowling helped India to a series-clinching seven-wicket win over Australia in the third one-day international today (19).

Sharma made 119 and put on a key 137-run second-wicket stand with Skipper Virat Kohli, who made 89, as India chased down their target of 287 in 47.3 overs in Bangalore.

The hosts fought back in the series after a 10-wicket drubbing in the opening game to go past the Aaron Finch-led tourists 2-1.

Paceman Mohammed Shami claimed four wickets to lead the bowling charge with the hosts restricting Australia to 286 for nine on a good batting pitch despite Steve Smith's 131.

Sharma took the attack to the opposition with a steady flow of boundaries - eight fours and six sixes in his 128-ball knock - and completed his eighth century against the Aussies.

He finally fell to Adam Zampa's leg spin as the senior batsman attempted a big hit but the ball top-edged off his bat to be caught by Mitchell Starc at long-on.

Kohli kept the chase on track with an attacking Shreyas Iyer, unbeaten on 44, as the pair put on 68 runs before the captain was bowled by Josh Hazlewood.

Australia: 286/9 in 50 overs (S. Smith 131, M. Labuschagne 54, A. Carey 35, M. Shami 4/63, R. Jadeja 2/44)

India: 287/3 in 47.3 overs (R. Sharma 119, V. Kohli 89, S. Iyer 44 n.o).