Kohli century inspires India to a clinical win by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Andhra Cricket Association-Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Scorecard:	India v Australia
Player:	MJ Clarke, V Kohli
Event:	Australia in India 2010/11

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DateLine: 21st October 2010

 

An audacious century from Virat Kohli and half-centuries of contrasting styles from Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina helped India ease to a five wicket win over Australia in the first one-dayer. Chasing a formidable target of 290 in 50 overs, Kohli shifted gears seamlessly to guide India to a winning position before being dismissed. Suresh Raina then, showing no signs of nerves, made sure that India did not mess up towards the end.

 

Earlier put into bat by MS Dhoni Australia ran up to a huge total of 289 for the loss of three wickets in their stipulated 50 overs. It was a slow start as the Indian opening bowlers, Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra hit the right line and length giving practically nothing away. The openers were dismissed with just 16 on the board when a struggling Clarke was joined at the crease by a busy Hussey. The pair then batted sensibly without taking undue risk to help Australia overcome their slow start. Hussey began to find the boundary ropes and soon Clarke joined in.

 

The run-rate slowly increased and once White made it out into the middle when Hussey was dismissed a launching pad was built. White could not find his timing right initially but soon gained in confidence and played some thunderous shots. Th lack of pace among the Indian seamers helped as it was murder in broad daylight. Vinay Kumar and Praveen Kumar bowled good length and found the ball disappearing over the ropes regularly.

 

Chasing 290 to win India lost their openers very quickly and looked in some sore of trouble. Kohli and Yuvraj Singh took the attack to the bowlers and wasted no time to get after the spinners. Kohli completed a well-deserved fifty off 69 balls in the 23rd over, helping his team recover after a disastrous start. Yuvraj also brought up his half-century, from 64 balls, in the 28th over as India started to take control of the run chase.

 

Kohli was suffering from cramps and granted a runner in the 33rd over. McKay then deceived Yuvraj with a slower delivery. Suresh Raina got into the act straightaway as he increased the tempo after a sedate start. Kohli completed a well-deserved century off 111 deliveries in the 42nd over. It was his third ton in ODIs. India decided to take the Batting Powerplay at the start of the 43rd over and immediately Kohli cut loose. He hit McKay for back-to-back fours before lofting him down the ground for a six to register his highest score in ODIs.

 

Kohli was dismissed in the next over as Hastings claimed his first wicket in international cricket and then Dhoni fell for a golden duck, bowled by Hastings off the very first delivery he faced. Raina made sure there was no further drama at the end after those two quick wickets. He lifted Hastings and Hauritz for a six each in successive overs before debutant Tiwary hit the winning runs with successive boundaries,.