AUSTRALIA WIN BY 3 WICKETS, SEAL SERIES 3-0

 Aus 296-6 (48.5 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Maxwell tried to loft Jadeja over the off-side but gets a thick edge for a single to short thirdman.

Faulkner plays two dot balls before playing a risky sweep shot for two runs followed by a leg bye.

Maxwell tries another big shot through the off-side but does not make proper connection for a single.

11 needed from two overs....Australia still on top!

Yadav comes back, to bowl the penultimate over. Maxwell smashes the first ball but can't beat the fielder at mid-off before he carts the next ball over long-on for a six to enter the 90s.

A length ball from Yadav and Maxwell needed no second invitation to send it into the stands.

The next ball is short as Maxwell makes room and cuts it through point for a four to take his score to 96 and level scores.

He goes for another big shot but mishits and spoons an easy catch for Dhawan on the off-side to walk back after a splendid innings of 96 from 83 balls.

Faulkner takes a tight single off the next ball to carry Australia to a 3-0 series victory with two matches to spare.

Maxwell single-handedly carried Australia with a splendid innings of 96 from 83 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. He put on 80 runs from 63 balls for the seventh wicket with Faulkner to carry Australia to victory after they were in a spot of bother at 215 for six, in the 39th over.

Once again, India's bowlers came up short on a wicket which was not as flat as in the first ODI matches.

Maybe, India made a mistake by not including off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on a wicket where Jadeja did make an impact in his first spell.

Dhoni blamed the fielding for the loss, saying "there were three boundaries that we could have saved, in a tight game that makes a difference!"

"I felt 295 was a very good score on this wicket."

 Aus 280-6 (47 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Jadeja gets Faulkner to edge one but it goes through the vacant slip region for a four and he takes a single from the next ball.

Maxwell continues his attacking approach as he plays the inside out lofted shot over the covers for a four.

Another big misunderstanding between the two batsmen but Jadeja is unable to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end.

Maxwell keeps strike with a single from the last ball as Jadeja goes for 10 runs in the 46th over.

India's bowling running out of ideas against Maxwell. Ishant bowls it on the pads as Maxwell calmly nudges it fine, for a four on the leg side to take his score into the 80s.

He takes a single on the leg side before Faulkner makes room and drives it past point for two runs.

Another dot ball before Faulkner picks two more runs from the last ball to make it nine from the over.

Australia are 280 for six in 47 overs with another 16 needed from three overs for victory.

 Aus 261-6 (45 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Yadav cuts Faulkner into half with a superb delivery that comes in sharply before he takes a single from the third ball.

Maxwell decides to release the pressure as he lofts Maxwell down the ground over mid-off for a six. Two balls later, Yadav bowls a high full toss as Maxwell lofts him over the off-side for a four but can't make most of the free hit.

15 runs from the over tilt the scales in Australia's favour with 42 needed from 40 balls.

Maxwell is playing a match-winning knock, batting on 68 from 62 balls. He is not trying anything fancy against Jadeja, defending the first ball before turning the next on the leg side for two runs followed by a single.

Jadeja bowls another tidy over, giving away five, with Australia not willing to take any risks against him.

Ishant takes over from Yadav, who went for 15 in his previous over. Infact, Yadav has a chance to run out Maxwell at square leg but he does not take the opportunity, refusing to attempt the direct hit with no one backing on the off-side. Australia pick up two singles from the last two balls as Australia reach 261 for six in 45 overs, needing another 35 runs from the last five overs for victory.

 Aus 237-6 (42 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

That was a big over under the circumstances as Sran was hit for 13 runs, he has conceded 63 runs in his eight overs.

Yadav comes back, taking over from Ishant, who has taken two for 40 in eight overs.

Batting second Faulkner averages 113 for 455 runs in 14 innings and that is some record for someone batting at No. 8.

He strokes the second ball from Yadav to deep square leg for one but Maxwell is unable to get a run from the next four balls. He has a wild swing off the last ball but is unable to get it away as Yadav concedes just one run in that over.

This could well be the break or make moment of the match as Jadeja is called back, he has four overs left.

He keeps it tight, giving away just five singles to leave Australia with 59 to get from eight overs.

 Aus 231-6 (40 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Ishant makes another crucial breakthrough. The pressure pays for the Indians as Wade looks to break the shackles but top edges the pull shot and is caught on the leg side for six.

Australia in a spot of bother at 215 for six in 38.1 overs, and Maxwell, batting on 39 from 43 balls, holds the key at this stage with only the lower order to follow.

James Faulkner is a capable batsman and he has played a few crucial innings with the bat in ODIs and against the Indians. He relishes batting in such situations and most Australians call him the finisher.

He nearly inside edges it back on to his stumps as Dhoni dives to his left to keep it down to one.

India are on top at the moment but they need to be wary of Maxwell.

Maxwell decides to target the young Sran as he makes room and tonks his first ball over covers for a four. He places the next ball smartly on the leg side for two runs before he is beaten by one which bounces a bit more, as Dhoni appeals but it is turned down.

Maxwell makes room and slaps it over the off-side and it carries all the way for a six to raise his fifty from as many balls.

Australia are 231 for six in 40 overs with another 65 needed from the last 10 overs for victory.

 Aus 215-6 (38.1 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Yadav continues despite a poor last over. He bowls a quick delivery to Maxwell, who is late on the shot and is struck on the pads but the LBW appeal is turned down. A few balls later, he has another appeal for LBW turned down this time the ball slipping down the leg side against Marsh.

The last ball is hit straight to Ishant at mid-on who lets it go through his leg to give away two runs.

Against the run of play, India are rewarded with a lucky wicket as Marsh is run out. Maxwell hits a good drive through the cover as Umesh sprints after it and sent a flat throw back to the keeper as Marsh is caught napping, going for the third run and is run out for 17.

A crucial breakthrough for India as Australia are reduced to 204 for five in 35.1 overs.

Matthew Wade is the new batsman as Sran bowls a full delivery on the pads to let the new batsman off the hook with a single. Maxwell also picks one as just four runs come from the over.

The scoring rate has taken a dip with India's pacers bowling a good line and length to Maxwell, managing to dry up the boundaries and build up some pressure.

Jadeja has left four overs left, maybe Dhoni not wanting to risk him against Maxwell at this stage.

Maxwell attempts a wild shot against Sran as he chips down the track but is beaten all ends up. Just five singles from the over as Australia reach 215 for five in 38 overs, with another 81 needed from 12 overs for victory.

 Aus 194-4 (34 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Sran is called back into the attack. Virat is all charged up in the field, he is egging the Indian fans in the stands to raise their voice and increase their chanting.

One Marsh replaces another as Mitchell Marsh walks out to the middle. Meanwhile, Maxwell decides to counter-attack as he goes after the young Sran.

The fourth ball is lofted over long-on for a four and drives the last ball through the same region for the same result as Sran goes for 11 in his comeback over.

Maxwell on the attack as he ramps a short ball from Ishant over the keeper for a four, his third boundary in the space of four deliveries.

Yadav comes back and bowls a poor over on his come back. A short ball on the leg stumps is pulled for a four by Marsh, before he flicks a full delivery on his pads fine on the leg side for back to back fours.

The dismissal of Shaun Marsh has not affected Australia's scoring rate, as they have scored 28 from the last three overs to keep the asking rate under control.

 Aus 167-4 (30 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Ishant comes back into the attack, replacing Gurkeerat as India decide to bring in a pacer to combat Glenn Maxwell.

Maxwell turns Ishant through the leg side for two runs followed by a single.

In the next over, Maxwell reverse sweeps Jadeja for a four behind point before he clips the fourth ball over the overs for two runs.

Australia ensuring that the wicket does not hamper their run rate as Jadeja goes for eight runs in his sixth over.

Ishant attempts a short ball at Maxwell, who pulls it for a couple before the tall pacer claims the wicket of Marsh.

The ball is pitched perfectly in the channel just outside the off-stump as Marsh has a poke but gets a thin edge and is caught behind.

Marsh walks back after a good innings of 62 from 73 balls as Australia are reduced to 167 for four in 30 overs, with another 129 needed from 20 overs for victory.

 Aus 151-3 (27 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Jadeja rushes through his third over, conceding just two singles but Australia in no problem whatsoever.

Dhawan bowls a wide half-volley to Bailey, who drives it through the covers for a four to race to 18 from 12 balls. Marsh repeats the shot a few deliveries later for the same result as the runs continue to flow.

Jadeja makes the breakthrough in the 27th over with the wicket of Bailey, who is stumped by Dhoni for a quickfire 23 from 21 balls.

India back in the contest as Australia are reduced to 150 for three in the 27th over.

Jadeja in the midst of a superb spell. New batsman Glenn Maxwell is also beaten by one which turns as Dhoni again whips off the bails in an instant but this time the batsman has made his ground.

Just a single and the big wicket of Bailey for Jadeja, who has taken two for 17 in five overs, to reduce Australia to 151 for three in 27 overs, with another 145 needed from 23 overs for victory.

 Aus 131-2 (22 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Bailey wasting no time to get going. He comes down the track to Jadeja and lofts him down the ground over mid-on for a four before taking a single.

Dhawan comes back for a new spell, replacing Gurkeerat, who bowled four overs for 22 runs.

Marsh strokes Dhawan through the covers for two runs to bring up his fifty, from 53 balls. Bailey gets a boundary from the last ball as Dhawan misfields on the midwicket fence as India are unable to create any sort of pressure despite Smith's wicket.

 Aus 118-1 (20 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack, replacing Dhawan. He strikes in his very first over with the key wicket of Smith, who is caught at first slip for 41.

Smith was beaten by one which turned enough to take the edge and also bounced a bit, with Rahane doing well to take a sharp low catch in the slips after Smith and Marsh had put on 64 runs for the second wicket.

George Bailey survives a close shout for run out as he looks to steal a quick run with Jadeja swooping in quickly but misses the direct hit.

Another quiet over from Gurkeerat, giving away five singles, as Australia reach 118 for two in 20 overs, needing another 178 runs from 30 overs for victory.

 Aus 108-1 (18 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Gurkeerat continues as the part-timer bowls a wide half-volley which Smith crashes through the covers for a four.

A single from the fifth ball brings up Australia's 100, in the 16th over.

Dhawan is doing a good job with the ball, keeping it simple and not trying much to concede just 17 runs from his first four overs.

Part-timer Gurkeerat continues from the other end as Dhoni has a long chat with him before the start of the 18th over. Marsh edges the fifth ball which goes past short thirdman for three runs while taking a single from the last ball.

 Aus 95-1 (15 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Debutant medium pacer Rishi Dhawan comes into the attack. He makes a tidy start, bowling on a tight line and length, with four dot balls to Marsh before he hits a wide delivery past point for two runs and repeats the shot for two more from the last ball.

The runs are coming far too easily for the two Australian batsmen, following the same script as was seen in the first two games.

Two singles from the first two balls before Smith drives a full delivery from Yadav through the covers for two runs. He steers the next ball wide of the fielder at thirdman to pick up three and Marsh pulls the fifth ball for two more runs to get nine from the over.

Dhawan mixing his pace quite well. Marsh is deceived by the slower wide ball as he plays too early and ends up slicing it over point for two runs followed by two more runs to make it five from the over.

A surprise move from Dhoni as part-time off-spinner Gurkeerat is called into the attack ahead of regular spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Three singles from the first five balls before Gurkeerat drops short and Marsh cuts it past point for a four.

Even Dhawan gifts Smith a freebie, a full delivery sliding down the leg side as the right-hander flicks it fine for a four followed by a single from the last ball.

Australia are in complete control on 95 for one in 15 overs, with another 201 needed from 35 overs for victory.

Smith has got off to a quick start, hitting 30 from 29 balls, while Marsh has made 40 from 38 balls.

 Aus 65-1 (10 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Smith plays three dot balls from Ishant before he pulls one through the midwicket region for a four. The next ball is on the stumps and Smith hits through the same region for back to back fours.

In the next over, Yadav bowls a beauty to Smith, in the channel outside the off-stump, driving the batsmen forward who has a dab but is beaten. That was close to a wicket and the big one...that of Smith!

But the next ball is a bit short and Smith frees his arms to stroke past point for a four, he has raced to 15 from 13 balls.

Australia in control on 65 for one in 10 overs with Smith on 15 and Marsh on 25.

 Aus 52-1 (8 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Sran comes under attack now. A half-volley on the pads is flicked through midwicket by Marsh for three runs.

The left-armer drops short and offers width as Finch hits it square on the off-side for a four before a wide half-volley is driven through the covers for the same result.

The bowler nearly gets revenge as Finch, on 20, hits it straight to mid-off but debutant Gurkeerat drops the straightforward chance. That could prove to be a costly miss!

Australia going at seven runs per over, as they race to 42 for no loss in seven overs.

It is going all Australia's way as Ishant bowls a short delivery which Marsh confidently through square leg for a four.

Yadav comes back as Sran is taken off after a disappointing first spell of three overs for 25 runs.

He immediately strikes with the first ball of his second spell. Finch, who was dropped on 20, does not profit much as he edges a wide delivery and is caught behind for 21.

Captain Steven Smith gets off the mark with two runs on the leg side to bring up Australia's 50, in the eighth over.

A short delivery which Smith cuts but Jadeja makes a superb stop to save some runs for his team.

 Aus 31-0 (5 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

Finch looking quite confident at the start as against in the previous match at the Gabba when looked a bit nervous at the start. He plays a nice drive off a slightly short ball from Yadav through the gaps for three runs.

Marsh gets his first boundary as he plays a beautiful drive off a full delivery through the covers for a four as Australia are off to a flier, racing to 19 for no loss from three overs.

Sran tries a short ball to Finch who pulls it on the leg side for two runs and gets an inside edge two balls later for one. The last ball is right in the slot, wide and full, which Marsh drives in some style through the covers for a four.

Ishant comes into the attack as Yadav is taken off after just two overs with the new ball, giving away two overs for 12 runs.

Ishant's second ball is a wide outside the off-stump to Finch before he takes a single to midwicket.

Marsh turns the third ball on the leg side for three runs as Australia race to 31 for no loss in five overs.

 Aus 11-0 (2 ovs) vs India 295-6 | Scorecard

A surprise but a positive move from India right at the start as the aggressive Umesh Yadav is handed the new ball ahead of Ishant Sharma.

Yadav has bowled well in the first two matches with good pace and he makes a good start yet again. Four dot balls in a row before Shaun Marsh crashes a wide full delivery through the point region for a four to get Australia off the mark in confident fashion.

Barinder Sran to bowl the second over. Aaron Finch goes after a wide delivery but gets a thick outside edge which goes on the bounce to thirdman for one and Marsh inside edges the third ball for another single.

The fifth ball is a wide half-volley which Finch drives along the ground through the covers for a four.

 India 295-6 (50 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Two singles from the first two balls before Gurkeerat pulls a short ball to deep square leg for a boundary, his first in international cricket.

He goes for another big hit but is beaten by the slower ball which he inside edges back to his stumps to fall for eight on his debut.

India struggling again in the death overs to get the boundaries. Ravindra Jadeja gets off the mark with two runs as he drives a full toss through the off-side before taking one off the last ball.

Jadeja takes another single off the first delivery of Hastings's final over to bring Dhoni back on strike. The Indian captain jumps down the track but is beaten before he powerfully pulls the next ball behind square for a four.

Hastings misses his length and Dhoni has no problems hitting a full toss down the ground for a six, he has raced to 23 from eight balls.

However, Hastings gets revenge off the next delivery as Dhoni is caught at deep midwicket after a good innings of 23 from nine balls, having hit two fours and two sixes. Jadeja keeps strike with a single off the last ball.

Superb bowling from Hastings, who finishes with four for 58 in 10 overs.

Out walks another debutant, Rishi Dhawan, with only one over to go. Jadeja misses the first ball from Faulkner but they manage to steal a quick bye.

Dhawan has a wild swing but only manages to drive it down the pitch to the bowler but another mishit off the next ball gets him two runs to get off the mark.

He shuffles across a long way but hits a length delivery to Smith at deep midwicket to get just one.

Jadeja strokes a slower ball to sweeper cover for a single before Dhawan has a huge swing but misses and also fails to get his bat to the last ball.

Excellent last over from Faulkner, giving away just six runs, as India finish on 295 for six in their 50 overs.

Dhoni's quickfire knock helped India hit 46 runs in the last five overs but still they were not able to cross the 300-run mark. They scored 88 runs in the last 10 overs and doubled their score after the 30-over mark.

The big question though is, will 295 be enough? Remember, Australia chased down two scores of 300+ in the last two matches, but this pitch is not exactly that flat, a bit slower, and India's two additional all-rounders could also come in handy.

Stay tuned! We will be back with the Australian innings soon...

 India 268-4 (47 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Dhoni shows his intent, right at the start, as he pulls the first ball he faces, from Faulkner for a single to deep midwicket.

This is Dhoni's 300th match as India captain in international cricket across all formats.

The second ball is pulled with some power for a flat six over midwicket before Faulkner bowls a wide outside the off-stump.

Faulkner gifts Dhoni a full toss which he drives through the covers for a four to race to 11 from 3 balls. Two more singles make it 15 runs from the over.

India have been on a roll, scoring 50 runs from the last five overs.

Hastings ends Kohli's superb knock as the right-hander is foxed by the slower ball and ends up hitting it straight to Bailey in the covers.

He walks back after a superb innings of 117 from as many balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

Debutant Gurkeerat Mann walks out to bat in a crucial situation in his first ever match in international cricket.

He defends the first ball before he ducks under a leg side bouncer. Another bouncer is pulled to deep midwicket, slightly mishit for two runs before he retains strike with a single.

 India 239-2 (45 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

India looking a dash at the 300-mark now and the two batsmen are taking a few chances here. Five singles from the first five balls before Kohli despatches Boland over midwicket for a six to make it 11 from the over.

In the next over, Rahane pulls Hastings fine on the leg side for two runs to bring up his 50, from 54 balls.

He chips down the track to the next ball and lofts it down the ground as Smith running to his right at long-on takes a superb catch. His momentum carries him over the ropes as he takes the catch but he shows good presence of mind to flick it back to Maxwell, who pouches it.

Rahane walks back for 50 after putting 109 runs for the third wicket with Kohli.

Kohli continues to keep the runs coming as he flicks Hastings on the leg side for two runs before a misfield gives him a boundary off the next delivery.

He strikes the last ball powerfully through the off-side but Bailey makes a good stop to save some runs for his side.

India are 249 for three in 45 overs with Kohli on 115 and Dhoni yet to face a delivery. Can they get past the 300-run mark? 55 needed from five overs to get there...

 India 230-2 (43 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Kohli, who was run out in the last match, nearly causes another run out but Rahane rejects the call for two at the last minute. Richardson bowls a short one which Rahane pulls square on the leg side for a four before taking a single to race to 43 from as many balls.

Boland bowls two dot balls to Rahane, who charges to the third for a single to fine leg. Two more singles before Kohli flicks the last ball behind square for two to take his score to 95.

Richardson will finish off early, in the 43rd over of the innings. Rahane chips down the track to the first ball but gets an edge which falls short of the short thirdman fielder. He gets only a single from the next ball to bring Kohli back on strike.

Kohli uses his bottom hand to good effect flicking a full delivery over midwicket for a four to take his score to 99. He brings up his 24th ODI century from 105 balls with a single on the leg side.

He was unlucky to miss a century in the first match in Perth but this time he has played another fine innings and got the hundred he so deserved.

Richardson misses his mark as he bowls a leg side wide and wicketkeeper Wade's fumble allows them to pick another extra run.

Two more singles make it 10 from the over as Richardson finishes with one for 48 in 10 overs.

 India 207-2 (40 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Boland replaces Maxwell, who had one over left in his spell. Kohli mishits the second ball on the off-side slicing it high in the air but Marsh at sweeper cover fails to pick up the ball and misses a chance to take the catch.

Kohli charges down the track to the next ball and lofts it over long-on for a six followed by two singles. He again smartly taps the last ball on the gap in the leg side for two runs to take his score to 84 from 90 balls.

Rahane on the attack too as he lofts Faulkner over the fielder at mid-on for a four and takes a single from the last ball to retain strike.

Australia's pacers doing well to stop the boundaries as India deal in singles in the last few overs.

Rahane decides to take up matters in his own hands. He charges down the track to Boland and lofts him straight back over his head for a six. Five more singles make it 11 runs from the over.

India look set for another 300-plus total as they reach 207 for two in 40 overs with Kohli on 90 from 98 balls and Rahane on 37 from 40 balls.

 India 172-2 (35 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Rahane plays a delightful straight drive, offering the full face of the bat to a full delivery from Hastings and getting past a diving Smith at mid-on for a beautiful boundary.

He edges the next ball as he looks to cut but it goes on the bounce to the keeper. He looks to pull the last ball but misses and is struck on the arm.

India taking no chances or trying anything fancy against Maxwell, who rushes through his eighth over, giving away just four runs.

Faulker comes back as he replaces Hastings. Kohli decides to release some pressure as he plays the inside out lofted shot over the covers for a four coupled with two more singles to make it six from the over.

Rahane also repeats the shot, going down the track to Maxwell and lofting him over the covers for a four with three more singles making it seven from the over.

Good bowling from Faulkner, keeping it tight to Kohli with four straight dot deliveries. He charges to the fifth ball and steers it past point for a single before Rahane is beaten off the last ball.

After 35 overs, India are 172 for two, with Kohli on 73 and Rahane on 19. They would to score atleast another 130-140 runs in the last 15 overs to give Australia a challenging target.

 India 147-2 (30 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

With a new batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, out in the middle Australia decide to bring back part-timer Maxwell.

Kohli drives the first ball down to long-on for a single before Rahane strokes it to the same region for one to get off the mark. Three more singles make it five runs the Maxwell over, who has given away 30 runs in six overs.

Hastings follows it up with a tidy over, conceding just three singles as Australia look to ramp up the pressure after Dhawan's dismissal.

Five runs from Maxwell's seventh over takes India to 147 for two in 30 overs, scoring at just under five runs per over.

Kohli will hold the key for India, who will look to double their total in the remaining 20 overs. Kohli is batting well on 62 from 70 balls and he would be keen to go past the century mark in this innings, while Rahane needs to build the partnership and also keep the scoreboard ticking.

 India 134-2 (27 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Dhawan has cut loose. He totally mishits an attempted pull shot off Hastings, which goes back over the wicketkeeper's head for a four.

But the bowler gets revenge off the very next delivery as Dhawan shuffles a long way across, looking to hit it through the leg side, but misses and is bowled.

Dhawan walks back after scoring 68 from 91 balls, hitting nine fours, as he put on 119 runs from 134 balls for the second wicket to lift India after an early wicket.

 India 127-1 (26 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Another change as Richardson is called back into the attack with Australia looking to break this partnership, which has started to flower in the last few overs.

Dhawan gives Richardson the charge but is beaten before he pulls it to deep midwicket for a single. He is looking to take a few risks and make up for his slow start.

In the next over, Dhawan gets a big stride across and sweeps Maxwell over the short fine leg fielder for a four to raise the 100-run stand for the second wicket, from 122 deliveries.

The duo also raise the highest second-wicket partnership for India against Australia at the MCG, beating the previous best stand of 101runs between Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar in 1981.

Dhawan taking a lot more risks. He makes room and tries to hit Richardson through the off-side but misses before he pulls it on the leg side for two runs.

Richardson drops short as Dhawan is feeling confident enough to pull it off the front foot for a four.

India making good progress as they reach 127 for one in 26 overs, with Dhawan on the charge on 64 from 88 balls and Kohli on 52 from 57 balls.

 India 111-1 (23 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Marsh bowls a short wide delivery which Kohli hammers through the off-side for a four. A few deliveries later, Dhawan gives Marsh the charge and lofts him over midwicket for another four as India look to target the medium pacer.

Even Boland errs with his length. A short ball outside off is hit through point for two runs by Kohli before the right-hander smashes another long hop with a lot of power through the off-side for a four to take India past the 100-run mark, in the 22nd over.

Kohli taps the fifth delivery on the leg side and sprints back for two runs as the bowler himself goes to retrieve it.

Maxwell comes back as Dhawan gives him the charge but is hit on the pads. However, he punches the next one past the cover fielder for two runs. He slog sweeps the next ball over midwicket for a four to take his score to 48 as India look to change gears.

A single for Kohli helps him race to his half-century from just 51 balls and Dhawan also gets to the landmark from the next ball from 76 balls.

31 runs from the last four overs takes India's score to 111 for one in 23 overs.

 India 85-1 (20 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Boland, who just a single over in his first spell, comes back as he replaces Faulkner.

Dhawan is foxed by the slower bouncer from Boland as he is way too early into the pull and is beaten all ends up. He attempts another bouncer, this time quicker, but it is down the leg side and is called a wide.

The last ball is fuller but again down the leg side as Dhawan flicks it fine for a four.

The pitch is not as flat as the first two pitches as Wasim Akram reckons on commentary that a total of around 260 would be a good one on this track.

Smart move from Smith as he decides not to persist with Maxwell for too long, not allowing the two batsmen to get used to him. Three overs for 12 runs by Maxwell before he makes way for all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.

He makes a tidy start, giving away three runs, while Boland concedes five runs in the next as India reach 85 for one in 20 overs, scoring at just four runs per over.

Kohli is batting well on 36 from 42 balls, while Dhawan, who is on 38 from 67 balls, need to lift the tempo in the middle overs.

 India 71-1 (17 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Dhawan losing a bit of momentum here with the field well spread out. It's only singles at the moment as Australia are able to dry out the boundaries and build the pressure.

India will be aware that two scores of 300+ were not enough to trouble the Australians in the first two games and they will be looking to lift the tempo sooner than later.

Maxwell is doing a superb job as he concedes another four singles in his third over.

While Kohli has got off to a confident start, scoring 29 from 35 balls, Dhawan has struggled to break free, batting on 32 from 56 balls at a strike rate of just around 57.

 India 62-1 (15 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Another change for Australia as Scott Boland comes into the attack in place of Richardson, who bowled a good first spell of one for 16 in five overs.

The field is well spread now as India pick three singles from the 11th over. Dhawan played a confident pull shot off the last delivery of the over but got just a single to deep square leg.

Dhawan seems to be getting his eye in and getting more confident with his stroke play. A short ball from Faulkner is pulled powerfully through square leg for a four followed by a single as India cross the 50-run mark, in the 12th over with both Dhawan and Kohli on 21 each.

Part-timer Glenn Maxwell comes into the attack. He makes a quiet start, giving away five runs, which Australia will be happy with if their part-time off-spinner keeps it under six runs per over.

He starts with two quiet overs, giving away just eight runs, as India reach 62 for one in 15 overs.

 India 43-1 (10 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Kohli is beaten as he looks to cut a wide short delivery from Hastings before he steers the next to thirdman for one. Dhawan plays another ugly shot, trying to pull a short ball but ends up mishitting it back to the bowlers before he defends the last ball.

Kohli also mistimes the pull shot in the next over from Richardson for a single to square leg. Three more singles and a wide down the leg side get India five runs from the seventh over.

The short balls are giving Indians a lot of trouble. Dhawan goes for the pull but again mishits it as James Faulkner makes a good effort at square leg but is unable to get to the catch.

Kohli gets a full wide delivery which he drives through the covers for three before Dhawan gets over a short delivery and steers it square on the off-side for two runs.

Kohli, who has hit fifties in the first two games, looking in good touch yet again. A half-volley on the stumps is driven straight down the ground for a four before another delivery is flicked through midwicket for three runs.

Faulker comes into the attack in place of Hastings, who bowled four overs for 18 runs.

Singles off the first four deliveries before Kohli flicks one fine on the leg side for a four to bring up his 7000 runs in ODIs, in his 169th match. Superb achievement from the young Indian batsman.

India have recovered after that early wicket to reach 43 for one in 10 overs with Dhawan on 14 and Kohli racing to 20 from 19 balls.

Kohli, who has scaled the 7000 run mark in 161 innings, is the fastest to reach the landmark.

 India 16-1 (5 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Rohit looking at ease again as he collects another easy run to thirdman off Richardson before Dhawan plays out the rest of the over. He is playing some solid drives but unable to find the gap.

Rohit is unsure whether to leave or play and ends up steering it to thirdman for a streaky single. Dhawan looks to break the shackles as he lofts the next ball unconvincingly over mid-on for a four. Two balls later, he plays a cracking drive through the covers but is unable to beat the fielder at short cover.

Richardson gets the big wicket of Rohit, who gets an edge and is caught behind by wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for six. That's a big blow for India as the in-form batsman walks back in the fifth over of the innings.

Rohit again looked to steer it down to thirdman but ended up getting an edge to be caught behind.

Virat Kohli, who walked out to a huge cheer from the MCG crowd, gets off the mark immediately with a single to square leg.

 India 9-0 (2 ovs) vs Aus | Scorecard

Kane Richardson to open the bowling for Australia and facing him is the in-form Rohit Sharma.

The right-hander gets off the mark with two runs as he lofts the third ball over midwicket. The next ball is short which he pulls to fine leg for a single before Shikhar Dhawan plays out the last two deliveries.

John Hasings to bowl the second over. Rohit picks a single from the third ball to the thirdman region before Dhawan is caught in two minds as he makes a late decision to leave a wide outswinger.

The last ball is overpitched as Dhawan leans forward and drives it straight down the ground for a four.

India lost the first two ODIs despite setting targets of more than 300 for the Aussies, the sort of debacle which prompted under-fire skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to admit that his batsmen will have to take more pressure given that the bowlers have been a huge letdown.

Barring the token win in Zimbabwe, the Men in Blue have lost their previous two challenging ODI contests played since the World Cup last year, against Bangladesh (away) and South Africa (home). They are now on the brink of losing a third successive series.

Shikhar Dhawan, who failed in the first two games, will be under a lot of pressure to get back among the runs.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are going great guns at the moment and need to shoulder even more responsibility. Their partnership strike-rate at Brisbane was markedly better than at Perth, a concern obviously addressed in the turn-around time between the two games, and yet the death overs bore a similar look.  

Ajinkya Rahane played a handsome hand but it wasn't enough to power through to the finish. Dhoni admired the way the no.4 batsman performed, but also mentioned his lack of power hitting. 

Hosts Australia, who lead the five-match series 2-0, have made one change with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh replacing left-arm pacer Joel Paris.

Check out the playing elevens:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishi Dhawan, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Barinder Sran.

Australia: Steven Smith (captain), Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Kane Richardson.

Welcome to the coverage of the third One-Day International between Australia and India in Melbourne, on Sunday.

Australia captain Steve Smith has won the toss and elected to bowl.

India, who need to win the match to keep the series alive, have made two changes. Ravichandran Ashwin has made way for Rishi Dhawan, while Gurkeerat Mann replaces Manish Pandey as India opt for two all-rounders to bolster both their batting and bowling.