Superlative batting by Rohit Sharma (141 not out), Virat Kohli (100 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan (95) helped India comfortably chase down Australia’s mammoth target of 359 for five in 43.3 overs
Superlative batting by Rohit Sharma (141 not out), Virat Kohli (100 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan (95) helped India comfortably chase down Australia’s mammoth target of 359 for five in 43.3 overs and win their second ODI by nine wickets at the Sawai Mansingh stadium here on Wednesday.
India scored 362 for one to record their highest and the overall second highest ODI chase so far, tying the seven-match ODI series against the visitors 1-1. Having put up 359 for five, Australia seemed to have batted India out of the game but Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Kohli played superbly to comfortably overhaul the Australian score. Kohli’s 100 off 52 balls became the fastest century by an Indian and the seventh fastest ODI hundred. India started the chase with a 176-run opening stand between Dhawan and Rohit. Things, however, could have been different had wicketkeeper Brad Haddin not dropped Dhawan on 18.
Dhawan made the Australians pay dearly for Haddin’s lapse taking their bowlers to task on a placid batting wicket. The left-hander smashed his way to 95 off 86 balls before a loose shot cost him his wicket. After that it was all Kohli’s show as the Delhi batsman blasted seven sixes and eight fours in his blitzkrieg innings. In between all the Kohli mayhem, Rohit Sharma completed a much-awaited third career century with a fine innings. He had to wait for three years for this feat and was visibly elated. Both players looked in a hurry to head back to the dressing room, piling on the pressure on the Aussie bowlers.
Earlier, Australia got off to another quick start courtesy Aaron Finch (50). The right-hander, who has made his way into the national squad thanks to his performances with Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, hit seven boundaries and a six. Phil Hughes (83) and Shane Watson (59) then added to India’s woes with an 108-run stand for the second wicket.
Captain George Bailey picked up from where Watson left off and smashed 92 off 50 balls. Glenn Maxwell (53) gave him good company as the duo put together a 96-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bailey and Maxwell batted at a tremendous rate scoring at more than 11 runs per over. The Australian skipper tormented the Indian bowlers hitting five sixes and eight fours. Maxwell too put on a show for the capacity crowd whacking seven fours and a six. The Australians scored 59 off the last five overs.
IANS
Photo: BCCI
