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ICC World Cup 2019, India vs Australia: Shikhar Dhawan ton claims new world record for India
The legend of Shikhar Dhawan in ICC tournaments continued to grow as his stylish hundred formed the cornerstone of a fantastic batting display that powered India to a commanding 352 for five against Australia in ICC World Cup 2019.
Shikhar Dhawan hit a sparkling century to help India post 352 for five against Australia in a key World Cup clash at the Oval on Sunday.
The opening batsman led the Indian charge after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and batted -- a decision he said was a “no-brainer” given the sunny conditions in south London.
READ: India vs Australia Live Score, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Kohli also came out all guns blazing to smash 82 and combine with Hardik Pandya for a 81-run third-wicket stand that saw the pair pummel world champions Australia’s bowlers.
The left-handed Dhawan made 117 off 109 balls and shared an opening stand of 127 with Rohit Sharma (57) that set the tone for the innings.
Most 100s by a team in WCs:
27 India
26 Australia
23 Sri Lanka
17 West Indies
15 New Zealand
14 South Africa/ Pakistan/ England
India’s total meant Australia were left needing to surpass Ireland’s 329 for seven against England in 2011, the highest score by any team batting second to win a World Cup match.
Dhawan and Sharma, who made 57, turned around their cautious start against the Australia new-ball pair of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to put India in control with their 16th century partnership in one-day internationals.
Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile finally struck in the 23rd over, having Sharma caught behind, with both Australia and India looking to extend unbeaten records at this year’s World Cup.
It was a first wicket of the World Cup for Coulter-Nile, who feared he might be dropped despite a match-winning 92 with the bat in Australia’s narrow win over the West Indies last time out.
Dhawan carried on, however, to reach a hundred with a single of Marcus Stoinis after the ball rebounded off the stumps.
READ: Rohit Sharma breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s World Record against Australia
He acknowledged his 17th ODI century by taking off his helmet and waving his bat to huge cheers from a largely India-supporting crowd.
The aggressive Dhawan then drove a 93 mph delivery from Starc straight past the left-arm quick’s head for four.
But Starc eventually had Dhawan caught at deep midwicket to end an innings featuring 16 boundaries
Kohli, out for 18 in India’s opening win against South Africa, then took as all-rounder Pandya, pushed up the order, provided superb support for his skipper.
Kohli registered his 50th fifty at this level in an already illustrious career that has taken him to the top of the world’s batting chart in Test and ODI cricket.
Pandya, who was dropped first ball by wicket-keeper Alex Carey, made the most of his reprieve to hit 48 runs off just 27 deliveries before falling to Cummins.
MS Dhoni also chipped in with a brisk 27 as India scored 59 runs from the last five overs.
Stoinis took the wickets of Dhoni and Kohli in the last over but KL Rahul finished off the innings with a boundary.
