India took a 3-0 lead in the four match series with the Aussies now playing for pride and confidence in their last major hit-out before back-to-back Ashes series.
Australia set India a total of 133 runs, which the hosts reached with 15 balls in hand after an ODI-style finish to the match shortened to four days after the first was lost to rain.
While Australia put up much more of a fight than in Hyderabad, where they lost by an innings, MS Dhoni’s three boundaries off a Mitchell Starc over was enough to secure the win.
In the fourth clash in Delhi, India have the chance to return serve on Australia who thrashed them 4-0 in the corresponding series two years ago.
Should Michael Clarke’s side fail again, it will be the first time an Aussie team has been whitewashed in a series of three or more Tests since 1982.
Even worse news for the Australians is a back injury to Clarke, who was clearly struggling when he eventually came out to bat in the second innings as he added 18 the total of 223.
Shane Watson and James Pattinson will likely return to the side after being suspended for this match while Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja will also be available.
Should Clarke be unavailable and Watson not picked, Australia’s captain for the match is a mystery.
In Clarke’s absence from the field for treatment it was keeper Brad Haddin who deputised, and he’s not the first choice in his position when Matt Wade returns from injury for Delhi.
Maybe they could hand the honour to Mitchell Starc – he does everything else. Despite being a fast bowler, he ended this match as Australia’s highest run-scorer with 35 and 99 batting at number nine.
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