With the three-match ODI series levelled at 1-1, India and Australia have locked horns in the series finale at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday (March 22). Opting to bat first, Steve Smith-led Australia were off to a flying start courtesy of in-form openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh before Hardik Pandya's three quick strikes brought India back into the game.

Hardik removed Australia's top three and could have got rid of Head a bit earlier as well had Shubman Gill not dropped a catch off the all-rounder's bowling. The incident took place in the 11th over when Head pulled a short-pitched delivery towards deep square leg with Gill stationed at the position. He went for the catch and timed his dive but could not hold on to the ball (his third drop of the series) and it went to the boundary as well. Gill's efforts didn't please captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik. Here's how the duo reacted:

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashwin-lauds-kl-rahul-for-doing-very-difficult-role-with-ease-compares-him-with-ms-dhoni-yuvraj-singh-574649">Ashwin lauds KL Rahul for 'doing very difficult role with ease', compares him with MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh</a>

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To Gill's relief, Head fell in the same over as Kuldeeo Yadav took a sharp catch at the deep. Hardik also removed well-set Marsh (47) and accounted for stand-in captain Smith's wicket 0 (3). Gill later redeemed himself with a catch of Marcus Stoinis, who was looking dangerous at 25 (26).

Australia will hope to post anything over 265-270 to challenge Team India at the Chepauk stadium. The series is interestingly poised at 1-1 after Australia won the second and penultimate game&nbsp;by ten wickets. The home side won the series opener, in Mumbai, by five wickets.

With the three-match ODI series levelled at 1-1, India and Australia have locked horns in the series finale at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday (March 22).

With the three-match ODI series levelled at 1-1, India and Australia have locked horns in the series finale at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday (March 22). Opting to bat first, Steve Smith-led Australia were off to a flying start courtesy of in-form openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh before Hardik Pandya's three quick strikes brought India back into the game. Hardik removed Australia's top three and could have got rid of Head a bit earlier as well had Shubman Gill not dropped a catch off the all-rounder's bowling. The incident took place in the 11th over when Head pulled a short-pitched delivery towards deep square leg with Gill stationed at the position. He went for the catch and timed his dive but could not hold on to the ball (his third drop of the series) and it went to the boundary as well. Gill's efforts didn't please captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik. Here's how the duo reacted: Also Read: Ashwin lauds KL Rahul for 'doing very difficult role with ease', compares him with MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh pic.twitter.com/W9saXsTI8j — Guess Karo (@KuchNahiUkhada) March 22, 2023 × To Gill's relief, Head fell in the same over as Kuldeeo Yadav took a sharp catch at the deep. Hardik also removed well-set Marsh (47) and accounted for stand-in captain Smith's wicket 0 (3). Gill later redeemed himself with a catch of Marcus Stoinis, who was looking dangerous at 25 (26). Australia will hope to post anything over 265-270 to challenge Team India at the Chepauk stadium. The series is interestingly poised at 1-1 after Australia won the second and penultimate game by ten wickets. The home side won the series opener, in Mumbai, by five wickets.

WATCH: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya unimpressed as Shubman Gill drops a catch in Ind-Aus Chennai ODI

England pacer Jofra Archer talked about the condition of the pitch on Day 5 of the first Test against India in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As per the paceman, it was &nbsp;"the worst" he had ever seen.&nbsp;

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"On the fifth day it was probably the worst surface I've seen - its orange colour, bits missing, rough patches for the bowlers to aim at," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail.&nbsp;

Archer went on to talk about the remaining nine wickets, England needed to win the match. The young pacer said he was pretty confident of getting the remaining nine wickets to seal a victory.&nbsp;

"When we walked out in search of nine wickets on the fifth day, I was very hopeful we would complete the job - although these India players have big reputations and are at home, so should be able to cope with conditions better than anyone.&nbsp;

"So, I didn't expect us to skittle them. Equally, I didn't expect it to finish not long after afternoon drinks."&nbsp;

James Anderson's reverse swing became the talking point after the match. To which Archer wrote: "Jimmy Anderson's brilliant over of reverse swing was decisive and it was the second time in the game we had taken two wickets so close together, after Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane earlier in the game."

England pacer Jofra Archer talked about the condition of the pitch on Day 5 of the first Test against India in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As per the paceman, it was "the worst" he had ever seen.

England pacer Jofra Archer talked about the condition of the pitch on Day 5 of the first Test against India in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As per the paceman, it was "the worst" he had ever seen. ALSO READ: Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan back Wasim Jaffer over communal bias controversy "On the fifth day it was probably the worst surface I've seen - its orange colour, bits missing, rough patches for the bowlers to aim at," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail. Archer went on to talk about the remaining nine wickets, England needed to win the match. The young pacer said he was pretty confident of getting the remaining nine wickets to seal a victory. "When we walked out in search of nine wickets on the fifth day, I was very hopeful we would complete the job - although these India players have big reputations and are at home, so should be able to cope with conditions better than anyone. "So, I didn't expect us to skittle them. Equally, I didn't expect it to finish not long after afternoon drinks." James Anderson's reverse swing became the talking point after the match. To which Archer wrote: "Jimmy Anderson's brilliant over of reverse swing was decisive and it was the second time in the game we had taken two wickets so close together, after Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane earlier in the game."

'Worst surface I've seen': Jofra Archer on Day 5 pitch in first Test against India

Protests intensified in the city today against the conduct of IPL matches amid raging Cauvery demonstrations, with police chasing away agitators in some places.

One incident of agitators burning yellow jerseys, the attire of Chennai players, was also reported.

Hundreds of activists of pro-Tamil outfits like Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), Naam Tamizhar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some Muslim groups staged road blockade at the arterial Anna Salai and TTK Salai, affecting traffic movement, police said.

Tamil film celebrities, director Bharathirajaa and national award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu among others also joined the agitation.

In some places, protesters clashed with police.

The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board.&nbsp;

Over 350 people were arrested. And security has been heightened around the MA Chidambaram stadium where Chennai is scheduled to take on Kolkata today at 8 pm.&nbsp;

The threat of more protests prompted police to step up security for the cricketers, including during their journey to the stadium from their hotel.

The CSK team suffered a slight delay on its onward trip to the stadium for the match due to the disruption.

The Chidambaram stadium has been turned into a virtual fortress with 4,000 policemen including commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force deployed for security. Today's IPL tie is the first in Chennai since 2015.&nbsp;

Police were seen chasing away protesters on the arterial Anna Salai which bore the brunt as scores of protesters staged agitation on this key road, resulting in traffic snarls. 
Some protesters were seen raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not establishing the Cauvery Management Board, an issue on which Tamil Nadu political parties including DMK and other outfits have been agitating for the past one week.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla met Union Home Secretary Rajeev Gauba to speak with him him about security arrangements for the matches to be held in Chennai. Gauba repportedly assured Shukla that appropriate arrangements had been made.

The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board.

Protests intensified in the city today against the conduct of IPL matches amid raging Cauvery demonstrations, with police chasing away agitators in some places. One incident of agitators burning yellow jerseys, the attire of Chennai players, was also reported. Hundreds of activists of pro-Tamil outfits like Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), Naam Tamizhar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some Muslim groups staged road blockade at the arterial Anna Salai and TTK Salai, affecting traffic movement, police said. Tamil film celebrities, director Bharathirajaa and national award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu among others also joined the agitation. In some places, protesters clashed with police. The protesters are calling for Chennai's match against Kolkata to be dropped because of the Centre’s inaction in setting up a Cauvery Management Board. Over 350 people were arrested. And security has been heightened around the MA Chidambaram stadium where Chennai is scheduled to take on Kolkata today at 8 pm. The threat of more protests prompted police to step up security for the cricketers, including during their journey to the stadium from their hotel. The CSK team suffered a slight delay on its onward trip to the stadium for the match due to the disruption. The Chidambaram stadium has been turned into a virtual fortress with 4,000 policemen including commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force deployed for security. Today's IPL tie is the first in Chennai since 2015. Police were seen chasing away protesters on the arterial Anna Salai which bore the brunt as scores of protesters staged agitation on this key road, resulting in traffic snarls. Some protesters were seen raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not establishing the Cauvery Management Board, an issue on which Tamil Nadu political parties including DMK and other outfits have been agitating for the past one week. Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla met Union Home Secretary Rajeev Gauba to speak with him him about security arrangements for the matches to be held in Chennai. Gauba repportedly assured Shukla that appropriate arrangements had been made.

Cauvery row: Protests grip Chennai as IPL game against Kolkata kicks off, 4,000 cops deployed at stadium

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WATCH: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya unimpressed as Shubman Gill drops a catch in Ind-Aus Chennai ODI

'Worst surface I've seen': Jofra Archer on Day 5 pitch in first Test against India

Cauvery row: Protests grip Chennai as IPL game against Kolkata kicks off, 4,000 cops deployed at stadium