Mohali :Blue boys failed to defend a 300-plus total at the PCA Stadium here on Saturday because of thier thin bowling resources. A late assault by James Faulkner after steady contributions from the upper order saw Australia to a four-wicket win after it had seemed at one point they were sliding to hopeless defeat.
Ishant Sharma conceding 30 runs in the 47th over decisively tilted the contest away from India and what had appeared to be a faltering chase suddenly sprung back to life. It left the visitors leading 2-1 in the series with four games to go now.
With no dependable option available as the overs ran down, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had earlier set up Indias total of 303/9 with an explosive, unbeaten 139, was forced to turn to R. Ashwin who did stem the torrent of runs, but by then it was too late.
Faulkner (64 not out, 29b, 2×4, 6×6) and the steady Adam Voges (75 not out (88b, 7×4) put on 91 runs in a mere 8.2 overs at an electrifying strike rate of 150 to seal a game that appeared to be slipping once skipper George Bailey and the explosive Glenn Maxwell had fallen with plenty to do.
