Highlights, 3rd ODI: MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadav unbeaten fifties power India to series win

India vs Australia, 3rd ODI: T20 series tied. Test series won. ODI series won. Boy, what a tour it has been for India. They were expected to win but they have not allowed the Aussies to win more than 3 matches in 10 outings. Superb. Take a bow. Coming to this match, chasing 231 should never have been difficult but circumstances made it difficult for India. But it was MS Dhoni who led the way, he has cleary made a big enough statement to shut his critics as he is also awarded as the Man of the Series. India have now won their first bilateral series in Australia. Take a look at the highlights as it happened in the 3rd ODI in Melbourne. (Live Match Scorecard) (Click here to read in Hindi)

India vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Highlights: IND (234) beat AUS (230) by 7 wickets

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE SERIES. The crowd is rupturing its applause. 'DHONI! DHONI! DHONI!' goes the chant. MS says that it was a slow wicket and hence one had to be careful playing the shots. Adds that he calculated how many overs every bowler had left and planned his knock accordingly. Praises Kedar Jadhav for the support he gave. On batting at number 4, Dhoni says that it all depends on the game situation and what the team wants from him.

* T20 series tied. Test series won. ODI series won. Boy, what a tour it has been for India. They were expected to win but they have not allowed the Aussies to win more than 3 matches in 10 outings. Superb. Take a bow.

* India (234/3) beat Australia (230) by 7 wickets in Melbourne to clinch 3-match series 2-1. MS Dhoni 87* Jadhav 61* 

16.16 IST: FOUR! INDIA WIN THE MATCH, SERIES AND THE TOUR! Full on middle, Jadhav whips it over mid on and finds the fence! The batsmen do not run because the ball has raced to the fence.

16.14 IST: FOUR! Ahhh... full and outside off, Dhoni pummels it past the bowler. Mid off is inside and cannot get there!

16.11 IST: FOUR! Cut over the covers! Killing blow and that should seal the deal.  Need 9 runs off 9 balls! 

* Who bowls the 49th? No options. Peter Siddle it will be. 8-1-43-1 so far. Will this be the final over of the match as well?

16.08 IST: FIFTY! Kedar Jadhav scores his 4th ODI half-century. What a way to bring up your half century! Full and wide outside off, Jadhav reaches out and slashes it behind point. The fielder starts to run to his right but comes second! 13 from the over, just 14 needed from the final 2. India 217/3 in 48 overs vs Australia (230) in Melbourne

16.02 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, FOUR! A full toss and it has been put away! Stoinis misses the yorker but Dhoni doesn't. Gets down on a knee and sweeps it powerfully behind square leg. Peter Siddle starts to chase from fine leg but comes second in the chase! IND 210/3 in 47.2 overs

16.00 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Not Out! Dhoni survives and so does Jadhav. Length delivery on off, Dhoni charges down the track and hits it hard towards mid off. Finch there dives to his left and gets a hand to it but cannot keep hold of it. Dhoni goes for a quick second. Finch quickly gathers the ball and throws at the bowlers end. Stoinis collects it and takes off the bails. The replays show Jadhav was in.

15.55 IST: Jhye Richardson to Kedar Jadhav, Oops... Jadhav gets ready for a paddle and Jhye smartly bowls it very full and in line of the stumps. But credit to the batsman for adjusting well. Kedar flicks it through square leg for a single.

*200 up for India! 31 more needed in 22 balls

15.46 IST: Siddle to Jadhav, FOUR! That releases the pressure. Full and outside off, Jadhav comes down the track and slaps it wide of mid off for a boundary! 38 more needed from 29 balls now. IND 192/3 in 45.1 overs

*Peter Siddle returns. 7-1-32-1 so far.

15.42 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Dhoni dances down the track and attempts a pull and gloves it fine towards the fine leg region. IND 185/3 after 44.4 overs

15.33 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, 3 runs. Outside off, steered behind point.

15.31 IST: Marcus Stoinis is back on. 6-0-31-1 so far.

*Powerplay 3 signalled. A maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the game. Adam Zampa comes back into the attack. 8-0-27-0 so far. Some issues for Dhoni. Seems to be around the groin region. The physio has been called to the middle.

15.15 IST: 50-run partnership up between Dhoni and Jadhav

15.10 IST: Marcus Stoinis to Kedar Jadhav, FOUR! That is a shot of confidence. Much better from Kedar Jadhav. Slowly growing in the game now. Full ball right in the slot, he lofts it cleanly over mid on and sends it across the rope on the bounce. IND 158/3 in 38.4 overs

15.07 IST: Billy Stanlake to MS Dhoni, Fifty for MS Dhoni, his 70th overall in this format and third consecutive one in this series. A calm knock from him yet again. Gets to the milestone by pushing it through cover-point and getting to the other end. Has plenty more to do obviously, but so far he's made the most of the life given to him. India 150/3 in 38 overs vs Australia (230) in Melbourne

15.02 IST: Marcus Stoinis to Kedar Jadhav, EDGY FOUR! Doesn't matter how they come, as long as they come. Jadhav comes down the track and swings across the line but gets a top edge instead which flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.  IND 147/3 after 37 overs

15.00 IST: Marcus Stoinis to Kedar Jadhav, Shaping back in from a good length, Jadhav plays this late as he works it wide of the man in front of square leg. Gets to the other end without much trouble.

*Marcus Stoinis comes back on.

14.56 IST: Billy Stanlake to MS Dhoni, Superb placement. All about the timing, that shot. Dhoni just leans into this full delivery and drives it through the gap in the covers. The fielder chases it down as the batsmen take three.

14.50 IST: That was in the air for a while but fell just short. Tossed up leg break on middle and off, Jadhav got low to play the slog sweep and got a top edge which flew over mid-wicket. Luckily for him, it fell short of Richardson coming in from the deep. A single was taken.

*Drinks

14.46 IST: Billy Stanlake to Kedar Jadhav, FOUR! That should relieve a little bit of pressure off Jadhav. He has some width offered outside off, so he stands tall and slaps the cut through cover-point and finds the fence. IND 129/3 in 34 overs

14.43 IST: Adam Zampa to Kedar Jadhav, Tossed up leg break around off, Kedar gets low and slog sweeps this. Isn't in control of it, but it's enough to clear wide mid on and fetch him two runs.

14.36 IST: Jhye Richardson to Kedar Jadhav, Full ball on the fifth stump line, Jadhav presses forward and meets it with the full face.

*Kedar Jadhav is the new man in

14.28 IST: Jhye Richardson to Virat Kohli, OUT! Caught behind! Jhye gets Kohli again! Australia think to believe again. Is there still life in this game? They will certainly feel so. Kohli is gone. India 113/3 in 30 overs

14.21 IST: Peter Siddle to MS Dhoni, Edge and Four! Dhoni struggling for timing here. He charges down the track and tries to hit it over mid off, he gets an outside edge and the ball flies over Carey and to the fence for a boundary. IND 109/2 (28.4 Ovs) 

*100 up for the visitors. Need 131 runs to win in over 22 overs. Jhye Richardson is back on.5-0-12-0 so far.

14.13 IST: Peter Siddle to Virat Kohli, 1 run. Unlucky for Australia. Full on middle, Kohli pushes it towards mid-on. He takes a couple of steps, Dhoni responds, but is then sent back. Marsh gets to the ball from mid on and has a shy at the bowler's end. He hits but MS is well in. However, the ball deflects off the stumps towards sweeper cover and the batsmen take a single.

14.05 IST: Peter Siddle to MS Dhoni, FOUR! BRUTAL! Bad idea from Siddle. On a slow pitch, he has banged in short to one of the best players of the pull shot. Whacked over mid-wicket. IND 91/2 in 24.3 overs

14.00 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Slashed! Dhoni comes down the track and hits it through mid on for a boundary. That would go to the fence even in the slowest out field.

13.54 IST: Adam Zampa to Virat Kohli, SAFE! Australia have simply not been good in the field tonight. Another chance goes begging. Full and outside off, Kohli reaches out and drills it towards point. He initially takes a start and Dhoni responds. But then, Peter Handscomb dives to his right and stops it. Now, both batsmen are ball-watching, hence are in the middle of the pitch. Then Dhoni looks up to see Kohli running back and retreats. The throw is a good, simple one to Zampa but he fumbles and by the time he deflects the ball onto the stumps, it is too late. Nerves. Nerves. Nerves.

13.52 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Another opportunity to get Kohli out goes begging. Virat Kohli and India ridding their luck here.

13.49 IST: Marcus Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Dhoni not looking comfortable against Stoinis. Good length delivery outside off, MS. triest to punch it but gets an inside edge. Luckily for him, it doesn't chop it onto his stumps.

13.45 IST: Adam Zampa to Virat Kohli, Quicker delivery outside off, shorter in length too, Kohli does well to use the pace. Just sits back and cuts it through point. The man in the deep moves to his left to cut it off, but the batsmen take three.

*Adam Zampa is called back on.

13.42 IST:  A faster outfield and even that would have gone to the fence. Full around off, Dhoni drives it through the vacant mid off region and takes three for it.

13.35 IST: Dropped! First ball. That too such a simple catch, from one of Australia's best fielders. Kohli has been dropped already, now Dhoni. How costly is it going to prove? Short ball outside off, with some room on offer, Dhoni flashes at it and hits it to point. Maxwell moves to his left and just spills it.

* MS Dhoni will be the new man in.

13.31 IST: OUT! Stoinis removes Dhawan for 23. That man again, he has been pretty good with the ball in this series. A rather soft dismissal though, Dhawan is frustrated with himself as he walks back. Gets another start which he fails to convert. Fuller length ball on middle and Dhawan drives this aerially back to the bowler. Stoinis sticks his hands out to his right and takes a sharp catch. Excellent work. India 59/2 in 16.2 overs

13.25 IST: On the shorter side of things once again, this time Kohli pulls, with a little swivel, and places it through mid-wicket. He comes back for the second.

13.19 IST: FOUR! Another classic shot by the skipper. Fifty up for India. Wonderful. Such a joy to behold, second boundary of the over for Virat Kohli and the 50 comes up for India as well. Back of a length delivery which just sits up for the Indian skipper, he swivels and pulls it along the turf through mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 51/1 in 13.3 overs

13.18 IST: FOUR! Kohli finds the gap and sails away for a boundary. That's a great shot. Gets on top of the bounce this time and is in perfect control. Short ball outside off, Kohli stands tall and smashes it through the covers for a boundary.

IND 43/1 in 13.1 overs

* Adam Zampa will roll him arm over.

13.13 IST: Dropped and FOUR! It is a big wicket dropped here. Good length delivery outside off, Kohli tries to slash that one through point but gets an outside edge. The ball travels in speed over the slips. Handscomb at first slip jumps to his right and gets a hand to it but cannot hold onto it. The ball races away to the boundary. He should have caught that one. Have Australia dropped the match here?

13.10 IST: Once again quick ball in length on middle and off. Virat hits it straight to the fielder at mid on. It was bowled at 146.5 kph.

13.05 IST: Powerplay 2 signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the 40th over. Also, Glenn Maxwell is brought on to bowl.

13.02 IST: Billy Stanlake to Virat Kohli, Stars with a yorker on off stump. Kohli manages to keep it out. Good start by the tall Australian.

*Billy Stanlake into the attack now.

12.57 IST: Peter Siddle to Virat Kohli, 3 runs. Uppish but safe. Full length delivery on off, Kohli uppishly drives it wide of Stoinis at short cover. Finch gives the ball a chase and saves it from going to the boundary. Kohli gets three runs from that.

12.54 IST: Jhye Richardson to Virat Kohli, Good length delivery outside off, Kohli shoulders arms to it. The ball swung in after pitching.

*Virat Kohli is now in the middle.

12.50 IST: Peter Siddle to Rohit Sharma, OUT! Caught behind! Boy, that is a sensational delivery. You need to produce gems to get precious stones and Siddle has done exactly that. What a ball. The length is the key. FULL. Because it is that length which invites the batsman to drive or to play across the line. The line is straight and Rohit looks to flick on this occasion. But then, the ball pitches, straightens a touch and takes the outside edge. Simple catch for Shaun Marsh at first slip. Nothing much Rohit could have done there. Early strike for Australia and the pressure being built works.

12.46 IST: Peter Siddle to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Nicely done! Full on middle, Rohit flicks it casually over mid-wicket. The ball slows down near the fence but eventually makes it. IND 15/0 in 5.3 overs

12.43 IST: Jhye Richardson to Rohit Sharma, 3 runs. Full-length delivery on middle and leg, Dhawan goes towards the ball and drives it between the gap of mid off and covers. It is not timed too well so it doesn't have the pace to go the fence and Usman Khawaja who chased it from mid-off saves a run.

12.41 IST: Jhye Richardson to Rohit Sharma, 3 runs. Length delivery on middle, Rohit flicks it away on the leg side wide of the fielder at fine leg. The big boundaries at MCG lets them come back for the third.

12.38 IST: Peter Siddle to Shikhar Dhawan, Good shot for no run. Good length delivery on middle, it stays straight and Dhawan drives it beautifully but to mid on.

12.30 IST: Peter Siddle to Rohit Sharma, Length delivery outside off, the ball jags back in after pitching. Sharma is beaten by the swing and gets hit high on the back leg. The Aussies appeal but the umpire turns it down.The DRS has been taken by Australia. It's for an lbw decision against Rohit Sharma. Umpire's call on the point of contact between the ball and the stumps so the NOT OUT decision stays and Australia get to keep their review.

*Peter Siddle to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

12.26 IST: Jhye Richardson to Rohit Sharma, Starts off with a length delivery on off, a hint of away swing after pitching. Sharma leaves that one.

12.24 IST: We are all set for the Indian pursuit. The players are onto the field. Richardson to Rohit, here we go...

12.22 IST: Update - We've received an update from the Cricket Australia Twitter handle that if there is no more rain stoppage, the chase will get underway in five minutes time. Let's hope for the best.

12.17 IST: Update - Not a pleasant sight, folks. The covers are on as it's drizzling at the moment. It appears that we are in for a delayed start.

12.15 IST: 

11.52 IST: India need 231 to win their first-ever bilateral series in Australia. The leggie continued to run through the Aussie line-up, picking up his best ever ODI figures. Peter Handscomb batted sensibly, fought hard, almost till the end and took Australia to 230. Only three bowlers got wickets for India but apart from Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja, everyone bowled well. Join us in half-an-hour for the Indian chase

11.50 IST: Mohammed Shami to Billy Stanlake, OUT! Bowled 'em! AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 230! Shami wrapping things up nicely. Keeps it full, straight and has some pace on it, comes in a bit too and that takes Stanlake. It goes past the inside edge of his hanging bat, deflects off the back pad and crashes into the stumps.

11.45 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Adam Zampa, OUT! First-ever 6-wicket haul for Yuzvendra Chahal in ODI cricket. A typical tailender's shot from Adam Zampa. Seeing the flight on the ball, he jumps out and looks to go big downtown. Can only manage to sky it towards long on where Vijay Shankar settles under it and takes a safe catch. Australia have lost their ninth wicket.

11.42 IST: Mohammed Shami to Peter Siddle, FOUR! Nicely done. Extremely full just outside off, Siddle gets low, opens the face of the bat and squeezes it fine through the vacant slip cordon. A useful boundary results.

*Peter Siddle is in next.

11.38 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Peter Handscomb, OUT! Second 5-fer for Yuzvendra Chahal. Absolutely well-deserved. He becomes the third Indian to take an ODI 5-fer in Australia, second one at the MCG after Ajit Agarkar. Bowls it quicker through the air and it keeps a little low too, comes in with the angle and catches Peter Handscomb low on the pads as he goes back to work it across the line. A loud shout goes up and so does the finger. Handscomb takes the DRS and it goes upstairs. Replays show he's gone for all money. A very sensible knock from him under pressure.

11.32 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Peter Handscomb, 3 runs. In the air but it's safe! Handscomb camps back to this back of a length ball and heaves it over mid-wicket. The slow outfield stops the ball from going to the rope, but it's enough to fetch the batsmen three good runs.

*Adam Zampa is the new man in. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back on.

11.27 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Jhye Richardson, OUT! Chahal strikes again, bags his 4th of the innings. A rather soft dismissal though, Richardson will be a bit disappointed with that. A handy partnership of 45 is brought to a close. Quite slow through the air, on middle and leg, Richardson is too early into the flick shot. He chips it towards short mid-wicket where Kedar Jadhav takes an easy tumbling catch moving to his left. AUS 206/7 in 43.3 overs

11.23 IST: Mohammed Shami to Jhye Richardson, FOUR! That's a well-placed shot. Richardson rocks back to this short ball and pulls it through backward square leg. Rayudu (sub) from square leg rushes to his right, tries to slide but his left leg gets caught in the ground and his ankle twists. Still tries to save the boundary but his body is touching the rope while trying to get the ball away. He's off the field for now, hope it's nothing serious. Also, with this, Australia cross the 200-mark. AUS 203/6 in 42.5 overs

11.18 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Peter Handscomb, Fifty for Peter Handscomb, 3rd in this format and both have come in this series itself. This is a good knock from him. Doing well when the chips have been down. Australia 196/6 in 41.5 overs vs India in Melbourne

*Yuzvendra Chahal returns to the attack.

*Powerplay 3 has been signalled. A maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the end of the innings.

11.08 IST: Vijay Shankar to Peter Handscomb, FOUR! Calculated risk from Handscomb. He spots that mid on is in the circle and so is mid-wicket. Gets the length he wants, which is in between short and full. But does not go with hard hands. Plays a controlled chip over mid-wicket. The ball rolls slowly after bouncing but still makes it to the ropes. Peter moves to 43 from 47 balls. AUS 186/6 in 39.3 overs

11.05 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Peter Handscomb, Full and around middle, Handscomb looks to defend but is beaten by the late inward movement. Gets a thick inside edge onto the pads, which rolls back to the bowler.

*Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns. 5-1-15-2 so far.

11.00 IST: Vijay Shankar to Peter Handscomb, Full and wide outside off, Handscomb steers it uppishly towards third man for a single.

*Vijay Shankar is brought back. 4-0-12-0 so far.

10.56 IST: Mohammed Shami to Peter Handscomb, Outside off, Handscomb waits for the ball to come to him and steers it late to third man for a run.

10.49 IST: FOUR! Another fortuitous shot. Outside off, Handscomb looks to punch it through the off side but gets a thick outside edge which flies past slip towards third man.

* DRINKS BREAK. This might be over quickly now. Jhye Richardson is the new man in.

10.45 IST: OUT! Shami to Maxwell. That was a blinder of a catch! Amazing work from Bhuvneshwar to dismiss Glenn who was looking quite dangerous. India get the breakthrough and more pressure falls on the hosts!  For a second, it seems like the ball will not carry to fine leg. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes running in, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives to take a fantastic catch. That ends the stay of the last recognized batting pair for Australia. Into the bowlers now. AUS 161/6 in 34.5 overs

10.39 IST: Chahal to Maxwell. FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Full and wide outside off, Maxwell reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! 11 from the over. AUS 153/5 in 34 overs

10.37 IST: Chahal to Maxwell. FOUR! Smashed! A full toss, Maxwell takes full toll and swipes it over mid-wicket for a boundary! AUS 147/5 in 33.2 overs

10.34 IST: FOUR! Jadeja to Maxwell. BOSH! A long hop, right in the middle of the pitch, Maxwell rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! AUS 140/5 in 32.3 overs

10.32 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! AUS 135/5 in 31.5 overs

10.26 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Off the mark without wasting much time. Maxwell drives it off the front foot to long off and changes ends.

*Glenn Maxwell strides out to the middle now.

10.24 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! Chahal bags his third. This is sensational bowling. And well caught by Rohit Sharma too. The leggie slows this up just a bit as he floats it on off, it turns away slightly and takes the outside edge as Stoinis is squared up while defending. It goes behind, where Sharma dives to his right and takes a one-handed catch just inches above the turf. AUS 123/5 in 29.3 overs

10.20 IST: Ravindra Jadeja to Marcus Stoinis, 3 runs. Edged but safe! Landing on off and going away, Stoinis is squared up a bit as he defends and gets an edge. It flies past Rohit at first slip and runs down to third man. Shami chases after it and keeps the batsmen to three.

10.15 IST: Chahal to Stoinis, FOUR! Good shot. Goes straight and finds the boundary. Stoinis hits this flighted delivery past Jadeja at mid on and sends it across the boundary line. AUS 115/4 in 27.2 overs

10.10 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Marcus Stoinis, A bit slower through the air, not much turn on this occasion though, Marcus defends it with a straight bat.

*Marcus Stoinis to bat next.

10.03 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Usman Khawaja, OUT! Double strike for the leggie Chahal. What an over. He's sent the two set batsmen back in the dressing room in quick succession. This isn't a great ball to be honest, short and flat on the stumps. Khawaja goes back to work it across the line and the ball pops up off the leading edge. Hands a simple catch to Chahal who accepts it with a smile. AUS 101/4 in 23.4 overs

10.00 IST: Partnership of 73 comes to an end. Peter Handscomb walks into the middle next.

09.59 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal to Shaun Marsh, OUT This is a big wicket for the visitors. Marsh has been sublime in this series and this pair has been the most successful for the Aussies. The partnership of 73 comes to an end. Shaun had 50-plus scores in his last three innings, the first time he's failed to get to the mark. Chahal bowls this down the leg side as Marsh gives the charge, fails to put the bat on the ball and that's his undoing right there because MS Dhoni is behind the stumps and he's lightning with the gloves. He whips the bails off in a flash and the square leg umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show Marsh is out of here. AUS 99/3 in 23.1 overs

09.55 IST: Ravindra Jadeja to Usman Khawaja, FOUR! Unfurls the same shot and gets the desired result. Good placement from the batsman. On leg stump, Khawaja places the reverse sweep through cover-point and sends it across the boundary line. AUS 97/2 in 22.3 overs

09.46 IST: Jadhav to Marsh, FOUR! Another bad ball. Short again and Marsh pounces. Rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! Second of the over. AUS 77/2 in 19.4 overs

09.44 IST: Jadhav to Marsh, FOUR! BOOM! First time an adjective has been used today. A real bad ball, half-tracker, Marsh rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! AUS 69/2 in 19.1 overs

*Spin from both ends. Ravindra Jadeja to bowl now.

09.39 IST: Kedar Jadhav to Usman Khawaja, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Lucky, is Khawaja. Full and outside off, Usman gets down to sweep but gets a top edge due to the extra bounce, which lands safely near square leg. A single taken.

09.33 IST: Vijay Shankar to Shaun Marsh,  FOUR! 59. Vijay Shankar's jersey number in ODIs. 59. Balls after which a boundary has been scored. A rare loose ball from Shankar, or from India for that matter. It is a short ball.  Imagine those days when your stomach is upset and you are allowed nothing to eat, except fruits. Then someone offers you a tasty barbecue. So, a normal human being would throw caution to the wind and pounce on that offer. Marsh does the same. Rocks back and pulls it without any second thought over mid-wicket. AUS 54/2 in 16.3 overs

09.30 IST: Kedar Jadhav to Shaun Marsh, WAS THAT A DROP? Looking at Kedar and Dhoni's reactions, you would feel it is. Looking at Marsh's reaction, you would not feel anything. Yes. SNICKOMETER CONFIRMS.

09.26 IST: Vijay Shankar to Shaun Marsh, Short and around off, Marsh is straightaway onto the pull. Mistimes it as the ball does not come onto the bat as much as he would have liked. Skews it through mid-wicket and gets a single.

09.22 IST: Vijay Shankar to Usman Khawaja, That was close. That was plumb. But it is not out. Because of wood. Full and straight, Usman played all around it, looking to flick but missed it. Was hit on the pads and Shankar was all set to appeal but quickly realized the inside edge.

09.20 IST: Vijay Shankar to Usman Khawaja, On a length around off, steep bounce, Khawaja plays that nicely, getting on top of the bounce and punching it towards point.

09.18 IST: Kedar Jadhav to Usman Khawaja, Outside off, Usman looks to cut but is cramped for room. Gets a bottom edge wide of point and scampers through for one.

09.16 IST: Spin time. Kedar Jadhav to bowl.

09.15 IST: Vijay Shankar to Shaun Marsh, Short and outside off, Shaun cuts it towards point where Ravindra Jadeja dives to his left and stops it. Not a bad start from the debutant.

09.10 IST: POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, till the 40th over. But, will Kohli want men outside the ring? Here comes the debutant, VIJAY SHANKAR. Nice time to bowl as well, with the batsmen thinking about survival more than getting after you.

*Shaun Marsh is the new man in

09.05 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aaron Finch, OUT! GONE! Bhuvi finally gets the better of Finch. It was an interesting duel between the two, but it's the Indian who comes out victorious. He got out to similar deliveries in the previous two matches, is dismissed in a similar manner now as well. AUS 27/2 in 9 overs

09.00 IST: Bhuvneshwar is a little upset here. He released the ball when he reached the umpire and not the usual landing crease, so this put Finch off and he backed out. The bowler doesn't like this at all.

08.56 IST: Mohammed Shami to Usman Khawaja, Full delivery outside off, Usman plants his front foot forward and drives it on the up through extra cover. Chahal chases it down from mid off and combines with Karthik to throw the ball back in. A couple of runs are taken.

08.53 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Usman Khawaja, Another edge but this one falls short and goes through. Going away, fuller outside off, Khawaja reaches out to it and gets a thick one behind. Goes through Kohli at second slip down to third man. One run to end the over.

08.51 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aaron Finch, Edged and FOUR! Surprising that there's only one slip given how much Bhuvi is moving the ball around. Length ball around off, shapes away late with some extra bounce. Takes the outside edge of Finch's bat and flies to the right of the diving Rohit Sharma at first slip. A boundary results. AUS 23/1 in 6.4 overs

08.50 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aaron Finch, Four running runs! The outfield has become quite slow due to the rain. Finch plays this on the up as he hits it through the cover region. Jadeja chases it down, keeps it in and throws it back, but the batsmen have run four by then. AUS 19/1 in 6.3 overs

08.45 IST: Mohammed Shami to Usman Khawaja, FOUR! Width on offer and Khawaja puts this away easily. Too short outside off, the left-handed batsman stays on the back foot and flays it behind point to find the fence.  AUS 15/1 in 5.3 overs

*Aaron Finch is standing outside his crease to negate the swing from the Indian bowlers

08.35 IST: Mohammed Shami to Usman Khawaja, Using the angle away from him again as Shami bowls it outside off, draws Khawaja into the shot and almost induces the edge too. The Aussie no.3 needs to be careful here.

*Usman Khawaja walks in to bat next

08.34 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Alex Carey, OUT! Some extra bounce and that does Alex Carey in! Second single digit score in ODI cricket for the southpaw opener. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls it on a back of a length around off, Carey rises and looks to defend, but the ball shoots off and takes the shoulder of the bat. Flies to Kohli at second slip, who's smartly standing a few steps inside anticipating it could fall short. He dives forward and takes a good catch.

08.32 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aaron Finch, Well played. Finch walks down the track to Bhuvi to negate the seam movement and flicks it neatly through mid-wicket. The placement is good enough to fetch him three runs.

08.31 IST: Mohammed Shami to Alex Carey, Run out chance missed! Jadeja was a little put off there by Karthik at cover. Carey taps this in front of point and Finch takes off. Is sent back because Alex sees Jadeja's rocket arm prepping to fire. Jadeja misses, but had he hit, Finch was gone by miles.

08.30 IST: Mohammed Shami to Alex Carey, FOUR! Good shot. Carey gets his first boundary. Short ball outside off, the southpaw rocks back and drags the pull through mid-wicket along the turf. It's in the gap and away to the fence. AUS 5/0 in 1.3 overs

08.28 IST: Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

08.25 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aaron Finch, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Finch covers the line and shoulders arms to it.

08.23 IST: Ready to begin again. Finch will take strike with Bhuvi to continue his over. Here we go...

08.15 IST: Good news: The covers are coming off now! Play set to resume at 08.25 IST without any overs lost. Dinner break reduced to 30 minutes.

08.02 IST: So we've just got two balls in. The groundstaff rushes onto the field and covers the square quickly as it's raining down at a steady rate. PLAY HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO RAIN. The frustrating game continues.

08.00 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Alex Carey, First runs on the board for Carey and Australia. Length delivery around off, shaping away, the left-hander taps it down in front of point and takes a single.

07.59 IST: We are ready to get underway.

07.50 IST: WEATHER - The previous text sums up how the mood is gonna be today. Let us describe it in more detail. The forecast is not good, with rain expected till at least 10.30 am IST. Hopefully, we get a full game of cricket.

07.45 IST: Australia captain, Aaron Finch, says they would have bowled first as well as there's a bit of moisture underneath the surface. States that Jason Behrendorff is out with a back strain for Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa comes in for Nathan Lyon. Reckons that the wicket is on the slower side, it doesn't usually change much. Adds that he would have preferred to bowl first, but he doesn't mind batting either. Feels that it's been an exciting couple of weeks, a good win in Sydney, had a really good game in Adelaide, excited to go here too. States that he likes to bat at the MCG and wants to do well here.

07.40 IST: India captain, Virat Kohli, says it's pretty overcast and will be a stop-start day, so there will be a lack of momentum. Hence the idea behind bowling first. Adds that they've had a good tour Down Under, so wants to finish on a high. Continues saying that the situation demanded that he step up in the last game, so that's what he did. Informs there are three changes as Mohammed Siraj, Ambati Rayudu and Kuldeep Yadav make way for Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

07.35 IST: TEAMS

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami.

Australia XI: Aaron Finch, Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake

07.30 IST: TOSS - Ready for the spin of the coin. Kohli calls Heads and it is a Head. INDIA ELECT TO CHASE. Jadhav, Chahal and Shankar in. Kuldeep, Rayudu and Siraj out!

07.20 IST: UPDATE: Rain has delayed the coin toss at the MCG. If no further rain then the toss will take place at 07.30 IST with play to start at 07.50 IST

07.15 IST: Vijay Shankar has been handed the debut cap. Remains to be seen who he replaces

07.00 IST: Hello and welcome to our live blog of India vs Australia third ODI to be played in Melbourne

Brief match preview: Buoyant and self-assured in equal measure, India would be eyeing a maiden bilateral ODI series triumph on Australian soil after the path-breaking Test conquest when they take on the home team in the tour finale on Friday. The three-match series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first ODI in Sydney by 34 runs and India won the second in Adelaide by six wickets. The Men in Blue have never won a bilateral ODI contest on Australian soil, and their only two series' wins in this format have come in 1985 (World Championship of Cricket) and 2008 (CB Series). In fact, this is only the second bilateral ODI series India have played in Australia, losing 4-1 in 2016 when they toured last. (Full Match Preview)