IND vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Smith Ton Powers Australia To 286-9 At Bengaluru

Steve Smith's ninth ODI ton helped Australia set hosts India a 287 run target in the series decider at the MA Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru

Australia set India a 287-run target in the third and final ODI being played at the MA Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and put his team to bat first, the visitors posted a 286-run total  on the back of Steve Smith's ninth ODI ton and Marnus Labuschagne's maiden fifty. The Aussies did not get off to the best possible start as they lost both their in-form openers David Warner and Aaron Finch cheaply. After Shami scalped Warner for just 3, Finch lost his wicket courtesy a terrible confusion with Steve Smith, leading to a run-out. At 46-2, Smith was joined by Marnus Labuschagne and the duo stitched a 127-run partnership to steady the visitors innings and help them lay a strong foundation. Kohli pulled off a brilliant catch of Raindra Jadeja's bowling to dismiss Labuchagne for a well compiled half ton. Smith carried on piling up the runs and got to his 9th ODI ton and also brought up his 4000-runs in ODI cricket. Wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey batted well with Smith to score a breezy 35 but before Australia could seize complete control, Mohammad Shami was again impressive at the death picking up the wickets of centurion Smith, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa.