NEW DELHI: Matt Renshaw showcased his improving white-ball game with a composed half-century, but Harshit Rana spearheaded a disciplined Indian bowling display as Australia were restricted to a modest 236 in the third and final ODI at the SCG on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, the hosts struggled to build lasting partnerships against a tidy Indian attack that maintained pressure throughout — especially in the middle overs, where the spinners effectively strangled the scoring rate.

Rana was the standout performer, returning figures of 4 for 39 in a fiery spell that combined sharp pace with lively bounce on a fresh surface.

Australia’s innings revolved around two key stands — a 61-run opening partnership between skipper Mitchell Marsh (41) and Travis Head, followed by a 54-run effort between Renshaw (56) and Alex Carey. Both, however, fell before they could anchor a substantial total.

Head’s promising start ended when he guided a Siraj delivery to Prasidh Krishna at backward point, setting the tone for an excellent fielding display from India. Virat Kohli’s sharp reflex catch to dismiss Matthew Short and Shreyas Iyer’s superb running grab to remove Carey underlined that intensity.

Axar Patel’s clever angle accounted for Marsh, while Washington Sundar trapped Renshaw leg-before after the left-hander’s patient 56 from 60 balls — an innings that highlighted his evolving adaptability in limited-overs cricket.

Once Renshaw departed, the lower order offered little resistance, with Mitchell Owen and Mitchell Starc falling cheaply as Australia slid to 201 for seven. A few late hits only pushed them to 236, a total that looked under par against an efficient and energetic Indian unit.

(With PTI Inputs)