5 Last over ODI thrillers between India and Australia

4. November 5, 2009, Hyderabad, 5th ODI: Australia won by 3 runs

The fifth ODI of the 7-match series was one of the most heartbreaking defeats for Indian fans. Australia posted a daunting 350/4 after opting to bat first as Shaun Marsh scored a fluent 112 which was well supported by Cameron White’s 33-ball 57 runs knock. India rode on one of Sachin Tendulkar’s best ODI innings in reply. As the wickets kept falling at the other end, the little master wreaked havoc on the Australian bowlers and scored 175 off just 141 deliveries with as many as 19 fours and 4 massive hits over the top. But he was dismissed with 19 runs required off 17 balls.

India lost couple more quick wickets after Sachin’s dismissal to leave the last pair to get 8 runs off the final over. Shane Watson was given the job and he conceded 3 off the first 3 balls as Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar kept their cool. But it was all drama on the next delivery. Praveen hit the ball hard to the left of long-off as the batsmen went for the second run. But Nathan Hauritz sprinted across the turf superbly and delivered a deadly accurate throw at the striker’s end to find Praveen Kumar out just by an inch and India fell agonisingly short by 3 runs. Sachin Tendulkar’s greatest ever innings was not enough for the Men in Blue and Australia prevailed when it mattered.