Rohit Sharma raced to his fifty with a six
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Rohit Sharma overcame poor form and an early collapse to slam his sixth hundred as India reached 191/4 off 36.1 overs vs Australia in their opening tri-series ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After electing to bat, India were dealt crucial blows when Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and the in-form Virat Kohli were removed in rapid succession. (Scorecard | Blog)
The world champions were in a spot of bother when Suresh Raina joined Rohit at 59/3. The duo decided not to let the Aussie pacers bully them despite their early success. While Raina set about attacking the home bowlers, Rohit played the sheet anchor's role to perfection. The stylish Mumbai batsman played shots both sides of the wicket and raced away to his fifty with a six. Often blamed for throwing good starts away, Rohit looked determined to make this innings count. The text book strokes continued to pierce the field and the hundred came off 109 balls. This was his third hundred vs Australia.
Rohit became the first Indian opener since Sachin Tendulkar to score a hundred against Australia in Australia. The last man to do it was Sachin Tendulkar in 2007-08 during the Commonwealth Bank Series, which India won.
Rohit was the difference between the two sides when India and Australia last played an ODI in Bangalore in November 2013. He became only the third batsman in the history of ODIs to score a double hundred and the resounding 209 helped India clinch a high-octane series in front of packed home crowds. Fourteen months later, Rohit is the only man to score two ODI double tons and is in possession of the highest individual score of 264. However, both these milestones came on flat pitches at home and Rohit has had to cop some flak for his inconsistency for his overseas performances.
But it was a different story on Sunday. Dhawan's poor run in Australia continued. Rahane and Kohli, who swapped places at Nos 3 and 4, also met with rare failures. That set the stage for Rohit, who had got off to a quick start. He signaled his intentions with a cracking six over Pat Cummins head after he pitched it fuller outside the off stump. There were quick signals, cheeky shots for boundaries and massive sixes that took your breath away. And there were words exchanged with David Warner and Shane Watson.
Rohit got great support from Raina, who did not let any of the Australian bowlers settle down. Raina got to a well-deserved 33rd half-century but lost his concentration soon after - he tried to smother a fuller delivery from Mitchell Starc but played it straight to Glenn Maxwell at mid-on.
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