Clarke hits out at Smith during fifth ODI thrashing

Michael Clarke has once again taken aim at Steve Smith, criticising him while commentating during Australia's big loss in Nagpur.

India's batsmen were clinical in winning Sunday's dead rubber as the home side wrapped up the series with a 4-1 and claimed the world No. 1 ranking.

Like all four of Australia's losses, at one stage they looked in control only for India to outclass them.

Rohit Sharma led the way for India with a magnificent century, the first by an Indian player during the five-match series.

His 125 off 109 balls featured his trademark powerful hitting - he smashed 11 fours fours and five sixes - and an awareness of the match's position, with few unnecessary risks taken.

At one stage during Sharma's innings Clarke was highly critical of Smith's body language and field placings.

"They look absolutely gone," Clarke said in commentary for Fox Sports.

"There's no energy in the field whatsoever, it's a negative field, blokes on the boundary everywhere - they look absolutely out of this game.

"They've got nothing to lose, the series is over, take a risk.

"If you lose the game in the 35th over so be it, what's the difference?"

Clarke then took aim again a few overs later when Smith finally made an attacking move and put himself at slip.

"I'm trying not to laugh here but they've got a slip for Rohit Sharma who's now on 116.

"Didn't have a slip when he was on 0 but they've got one now when he's on 116."

Clarke has on numerous occassions criticised Smith since he left the national team, paving the way for Smith's rise.

Before the series he questioned whether he was up to the job as captain.

"As a batsman, Steve Smith is right up there; I think he and Virat Kohli are the two best batsmen in the world right now," Clarke said.

"I think he and David Warner will be the highest scorers for Australia in this series. But I also think his captaincy is now being challenged."

Australia's batting innings was again hampered by a batting collapse as they lost 3-18 in less than five overs to slump to 4-118.

After Smith won the toss and decided to bat first, Australia made 242 which looked like it could be defended on the slowest pitch of the series.

But headaches for the Indian batsmen were rare.

Legpsinner Adam Zampa (2-59 off eight over) copped the most severe punishment before claiming the wickets of Sharma and Virat Kohli when the result was all but decided.

The first of three T20 internationals between the two sides is in Ranchi on Saturday.

with AAP