Sachin Tendulkar played one of the best innings of his life of 175 runs of just 141 balls to single handedly guide India home chasing a stiff target of 351 runs in 50 overs but his effort went in vain as last three batters couldn’t manage 19 runs in 17 balls.
Chasing a mammoth 351 runs, India got off to flying start with Virendra Sehwag scoring quick-fire 38 runs of just 30 balls as he and Tendulkar put on 66 runs in just 55 balls for the first wicket. But Indian middle order failed to capitalize on the start as Gambhir, Yuvraj and Dhoni got out in quick succession. Too much pressure was there on the little master Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina.
Suresh Raina (59 runs of 59 balls) after getting life on his very second ball he faced played brilliantly with Sachin (175 runs of 141 balls) and put on 137 runs of just 114 balls for the fifth wicket to put India in the hunt.
But Raina ended his inning while playing a needless stroke of Shane Watson, leaving India to get another 52 runs of 45 balls.
Harbhajan Singh who sent ahead of Ravinder Jadeja failed to rise to the expectation of millions across the country as he out in the same over for second ball duck.
Needing another 52 runs for victory in 42 balls, now all eyes was on Sachin and Jadeja to guide India home. Ravinder Jadeja under the guidance of Master played well and scored 23 runs of 17 balls.But once Sachin got out he lost his composure and ran himself out to leave India in deep trouble.
In the end Indian lower order couldn’t manage 8 runs in the last over and lost the game by 3 runs with 2 balls still remaining for them.
Earlier a belligerent century stand between openers Shaun Marsh (112 runs of 112 balls) and Shane Watson (93 runs of 89 balls) powered an injury-hit Australia to an imposing 350 for four in their 50 overs. Both batsmen put on an impressive 145 runs for the first wicket to help other batsman to follow to make full use of the remaining overs and that what C.White (57 runs of 33 balls), M.Hussey (31 runs of 22 balls) and R.Ponting (45 runs of 45 balls) did.
Now Australia lead the seven match series by 3-2.
Sachin Tendular was declared Player of the match for his magnificent 175 runs of just 141 balls.
Match Summary (Australia won by 3 Runs)
Australia– 350/4 in 50 Overs
S.Marsh- 112 S.Watson– 93
P.Kumar– 9-0-68-2 H.Singh- 10-0-44-1
India– 347/10 in 49.4 Overs
S.Tendulkar- 175 S.Raina– 59
S.Watson– 8.4-0-47-3 C.McKay- 10-0-59-3
