India's brilliant run-chase in the
second one-day international against Australia has lit the blue touch paper for
the seven-match series that is now level at 1-1. And, if the first two games are anything
to go by, it is set to be a very entertaining few weeks
between the two sides. Australia had won the first ODI in
Pune by 72 runs after smashing 304 and they looked odds-on to make it 2-0
overall when they set India the daunting target of 360 to win the second clash
in Jaipur.
However, few cricket betting punters expected what came next. India set about their task in
breathtaking fashion as they attempted to secure the second highest chase in one-day
international history.
The fact they did it with six overs
to spare for the loss of just one-wicket underlines just what a sensational
batting display it was.
Ruthless hitting from Virat Kohli -
who struck an unbeaten 100 from just 52 balls - the quickest ton ever by an
Indian batsman, was backed up by equally-impressive batting from Rohit Sharma
(141no) and Shikhar Dhawan (95) to leave the Aussies shaking their heads in
disbelief.
Dhawan was the only player out,
caught behind by Brad Haddin, as the rest tore the tourists' attack to pieces
in front of an exuberant home crowd, enjoying every minute of the devastating
batting.
Sharma's career-best knock, which
included 17 fours and four sixes, was complemented first by Dhawan, as the pair
shared a first-wicket stand of 176, before an unbeaten partnership of 186 with
Kohli followed.
It really was stunning stuff and the
manner in which they knocked off the runs with plenty of balls to spare shows
confidence is still high in the India camp as they look to condemn Australia to
a ODI series defeat to add to the 4-0 Test win they managed earlier in 2013.
Alex Jackson for DieHard Cricket Fans
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