Correspondent (Sport)
Australia’s eight-match limited overs tour of India sparked into life after a record breaking run chase by the hosts levelled the one day series at one a piece, leaving the travellers stunned going into the third clash in Mohali in two days’ time.
The tour started off poorly for the Australians as they were comprehensively beaten in the first and only Twenty20 match of the series. India won the game by six wickets after Yuvraj Singh, in his first game back on the international scene since January, scored a majestic 77 off just 35 balls in Rajkot.
The visitors batted first and were going well until the loss of Aaron Finch for 89 in the 17th over. This halted a late charge leaving India with just 202 runs needed for victory. It was Singh who was to be the hero for the hosts as he hit eight fours and five sixes on his way to his highest individual Twenty20 international total, with the winning runs coming with two balls to spare.
Australia fought back in the first one day international however thanks to a sublime team bowling display that ensured India never came close to the total of 305 set by the visitors. George Bailey high scored for Australia with a solid 85 runs off 82 balls before falling to the bowling of Ashwin, and opener Aaron Finch carried on his fine scoring form from the Twenty20 game to contribute an equally vital 72 runs.
India in reply were stifled by an impressive attack of Clint McKay, Shane Watson and James Faulkner, who was the pick of the Australian bowlers finishing with figures of 3-48 in his eight over spell, limiting the hosts to just 232 all out. The hosts made a promising start with Raina and Virat Kohli striking up a fine third wicket partnership, but it was that man Faulkner with the key breakthrough taking the wicket of Raina. Then Watson expertly caught Kohli plumb lbw to end any hope India had of winning the game.
The momentum of the series took another huge swing in Jaipur when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led India to a record breaking run chase and securing a nine wicket victory over a stunned Australia team.
Australia had set a commanding 360 run total for India to chase down, with all of the top five visiting batsmen weighing in with scores of 50 plus, with the pick of them again being Bailey who struck a powerful 92 runs of just 50 balls. This left the home side with the task of achieving their highest ever run chase, and the second highest ever in one day internationals if they were to win the match and level the series.
They accomplished their daunting task emphatically with the loss of just one wicket for a staggering 362 runs. Sharma opened the batting and ended it with a score of 141 runs from his 123 balls. Their first wicket stand of 176 in which Dhawan also contributed 95 runs was a sign of things to come. Even after Faulkner finally made the breakthrough when Dhawan was caught behind, the blistering pace continued with Kohli becoming the fastest man to reach a century in one day internationals for India taking just 52 balls to do so. His seven sixes and eight fours ensured victory for the hosts with still 6 overs to spare.
This leave the series all level at one a piece going into the third match in Mohali on October 19, 2013, with the hosts looking to capitalise on their record breaking display in Jaipur to take a foothold in the series.
Image Courtesy: The Strokes, Released into the public domain¦Wikimedia Commons, e Khabar (http://picasaweb./u9w0aXlOwbCRNm940gEAgg)
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