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Aussies win, Dhoni suspension rocks India

3 minute read

India skipper MS Dhoni has been suspended for the last game of the series against Australia for allowing a slow over rate in the Perth Test.

Australia scored a huge win in the third Test against India in Perth on Sunday before the tourists were rocked by the sensational suspension of skipper MS Dhoni.

Dhoni has been banned for one match for a second offence for slow over-rates within a 12-month period.

India, trailing Australia three-nil in the four-match series, will be without their captain for the final Test in Adelaide starting on January 24.

Michael Clarke's men hugged each other and saluted the jubilant crowd of 14,352 after completing victory by an innings and 37 runs on Sunday.

Australia face a difficult task to drop one of their four fast bowlers for the final Test to squeeze spinner Nathan Lyon back into the side on what Clarke admits will be a difficult pitch for the bowlers to take 20 wickets.

Australia's pace attack had no such problems on the bouncy WACA deck as Ben Hilfenhaus (8-97), Peter Siddle (6-85), Mitchell Starc (4-70) and Ryan Harris (2-67) overpowered India.

With a 3-0 lead in the series, Clarke said he was determined to lead the No.4-ranked Aussies to a 4-0 sweep.

"Our goal is to win every Test match in the series. We've won the first three and it doesn't change. We'll look to win in Adelaide," Clarke said.

David Warner was named man of the match following his stunning 180 off 159 deliveries in Australia's first innings of 369.

After being bowled out for 161 in their first innings, India resumed on 4-88 in their second innings and were dismissed for 171.

Young No.6 Virat Kohli scoring a career-best 75 before being last man out in the fourth over after lunch.

"Allowing everyone to go back home for a few days and freshen up for Adelaide, which is a tougher wicket to bowl on, will do us the world of good," Clarke said.

"It's a nice feeling to have won this series, but our goal is to be the number one team in the world and we're not there yet, so we've got a lot of work to do and that starts in Adelaide.

"Nathan Lyon will certainly come back into the team given conditions in Adelaide are generally flatter and spin a lot more than what we've seen here in Perth.

"No such thing as a dead rubber for me. We haven't achieved much at this stage.

"We've got a lot of work to do before we'll be satisfied. Adelaide, you'll see that."

Star allrounder Shane Watson could be still on the sidelines for the fourth Test because of hamstring and calf injuries, which leaves Australia with one simple decision to make on which pace bowler to leave out for Lyon.

Clarke expressed confidence in struggling pair Shaun Marsh, who has scored only 14 runs at 3.50 in the series, and wicketkeeper/batsman Brad Haddin who is also out of form with the bat (33 at 11.00).

Dhoni, who made 12 and two batting at No.7, said he blamed himself for the heavy defeat in Perth.

"I am the leader, major culprit. Yes I blame myself," Dhoni said before news of his suspension broke. It's believed vice-captain Virender Sehwag will lead the side in Adelaide.

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