Australia beat India by 21 runs to claim ODI series and top spot in world rankings

Australia have nabbed top spot on the ODI rankings after spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar came to the rescue in a series-deciding, 21-run victory over India in Chennai.

Veteran David Warner was surprisingly relegated down the order as Australia posted 269 off 49 overs in Wednesday’s third and final clash.

Makeshift opener Mitch Marsh again top scored with 47 off as many balls, while Warner made 23 off 31 balls batting at four.

In reply, India were in cruise control at 146-2 before Zampa (4-45) and Agar (2-41) turned the match Australia’s way.

Agar snared Virat Kohli (54 off 72 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) in consecutive balls in the 36th over to help transform the game.

Zampa was a force the whole way through as India lost 6-79 in a devastating period, with the home side eventually bowled out for 248 in 49.1 overs.

The result gave Australia a 2-1 series victory and propelled them above India into top spot on the ODI rankings.

Zampa was the star of the show, claiming the scalps of Shubman Gill (37), KL Rahul (32), Hardik Pandya (40) and Ravindra Jadeja (18).

Kohli threatened to guide India safely to the win, but he holed out to Agar’s bowling in what proved to be a critical moment of the match.

Agar clean bowled Yadav next delivery.

It was the third match in a row Yadav had been dismissed for a golden duck.

Earlier in the game, Marsh continued his hot form as Australia reached 68-0, but a collapse of 5-70 put the visitors on edge.

Alex Carey (38), Marcus Stoinis (25) and Sean Abbott (26) led the recovery effort to at least help Australia reach a respectable total.

There was a big shock in the batting order when the returning Warner, who had finally recovered from a hairline fracture in his elbow and a corked quad,