Manish Pandey's maiden ODI century helped India avoid a whitewash as they chased Australia’s 330 in the final over of the fifth ODI at SCG. Although India still lost the series 1-4, they will take plenty of positives from the form of their batsmen, who helped them retain their No.2 ranking in ODIs.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, India had the hosts in a spot of bother at 78/3 but centuries from David Warner and Mitchell Marsh helped Australia post another target in excess of 300.
India’s response got off to the perfect start thanks to a century opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Despite losing Dhawan and Virat Kohli in quick succession and Rohit for 99, India were still in with a shout.
India's captain MS Dhoni and Pandey marshalled the chase brilliantly and although Dhoni was dismissed in the final over, Pandey held his nerve and handed India their first win of the series and break Australian’s unbeaten run at home.
Pandey and Rohit on their performance
Man of the Match Manish Pandey said: “Batting No. 4 is one of the chances I got because Ajju (Rahane) was injured, and I wanted to capitalise, especially on these wickets, with 300 scored in every match. Always nice to have Indian people in the stadium, it's a big boost to us.”
Rohit Sharma was awarded the Man of the Series for his 441 runs. He said: “"Not really [frustrating to get out on 99] because we won the game tonight. Young Manish Pandey did really well, playing his fourth one-day international, getting that hundred and getting us off the mark.
“Over the course of the tournament, we played some really good cricket. Little moments we couldn't capitalise on. We never thought we were 4-0 down. We wanted to come and win this game and go with a positive frame of mind into the T20 series. I've been batting really well in one-day cricket, it's important that I keep scoring runs for the team."
Australian captain Steven Smith said: "It's been a pretty big run-scoring feast. Very proud of the way the players have played in this series. Tonight was a masterclass in chasing [from India].
“We missed a few opportunities in the field, but that happens in cricket, but we have to move on and improve. [The T20s] are a different format, and there is a World Cup around the corner, so the boys are raring to go.”
Plenty of former and current cricketers took to Twitter to express their feelings, including some of India's players in the series.
Man of the series Rohit Sharma:
Ravichandran Ashwin:
Tributes were pouring for Mitchell Marsh, who got his maiden ODI hundred. Here are some of the best.
Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody:
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson:
Australian fast bowler Trent Copeland:
Harsha Bhogle:
It was a debut to remember for Jasprit Bumrah, who received praise from all corners.
Parthiv Patel, Bumrah's domestic teammate:
Aakash Chopra:
VVS Laxman:
Harsha Bhogle:
Damien Fleming on the fielding standards in the match:
Former Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken:
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