DHARAMSALA, India: Lokesh Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane put on a whirlwind third-wicket partnership as India romped to an eight-wicket win over Australia in the fourth cricket test here on Tuesday.
After resuming on 19-0, the reached their target at 106-2 in the morning session on day four, taking the four-match series 2-1.
Australia had won the first test in Pune by 333 runs, while India won the second in Bengaluru by 75 runs. The third test in Ranchi was drawn.
Rahul finished unbeaten on 51 runs, while Rahane scored 38 not out as the pair put on 60 runs off just 59 balls.
Starting their chase briskly this morning, India lost Murali Vijay (8) in the day’s eighth over, when he was caught behind off Pat Cummins (1-42).
There was cause for some mild anxiety five balls later when Cheteshwar Pujara was run-out for a duck after a mix up with Rahul.
But Rahane steadied the innings with opener Rahul, and indeed attacked the Australian bowlers as India galloped toward the victory line.
The stand-in skipper faced only 27 balls and hit four fours as well as two sixes. Rahul struck nine fours in his 57-ball stay.
Their 50-partnership came at a run-a-ball, while India easily passed 100 in the 23rd over and overhauled their target in the following over.
With the last runs of this series, Rahul scored his seventh test half-century, and sixth in this series, off 76 balls.
On day one, debutant Kuldeep Yadav took 4-68 after Steve Smith (111) scored his 20th test hundred to take Australia to 300 runs. He put on 134 runs for the second wicket with David Warner (56). Mathew Wade scored 57 runs.
On day two, half-centuries from Rahul (60) and Cheteshwar Pujara (57) shaped the Indian reply even as Australian bowlers tied down the scoring rate. Nathan Lyon finished with 4-67.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3-29) and Ravindra Jadeja (3-24) shared six wickets as Australia collapsed on day three to be all out for 137 in their second innings. Umesh Yadav also took 3-29 after Jadeja had scored his seventh test half-century to help India finish their first innings on 332.
India beat Australia by 8 wickets to take series 2-1
India beat Australia by 8 wickets to take series 2-1
Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como
- Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points
COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck in stoppage time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes from time when Rabiot caught the Como defense off guard with a low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”
