India vs Australia: Shikhar Dhawan roars back to form with 16th ODI century in Mohali

A clip through square leg got his innings rolling and all along the way it was replete with a number of crisp strokes, drives, and pulls as he almost sauntered his way to his 16th ODI ton.

When Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first on a true Mohali surface, he would have expected his under-performing openers to step up and perform, and the captain got his wish. Shikhar Dhawan, who was in the midst of an extended slump, ever since the Asia Cup, looked like a man in control from the very first ball he faced.

India's Shikhar Dhawan celebrates scoring a century during the fourth one day international cricket match between India and Australia in Mohali, India, Sunday, March 10, 2019 (AP)

A clip through square leg got his innings rolling and all along the way it was replete with a number of crisp strokes, drives, and pulls as he almost sauntered his way to his 16th ODI ton.

He along with Rohit Sharma also bid goodbye to their lean patch by providing a fantastic start for the side. The duo became the first Indian opening pair to score 1000 runs against Australia in ODIs once they strung a 62-run partnership. This is their first fifty-run partnership after 6 innings.

This was Dhawan’s first century after 17 ODI innings - his last hundred came against Pakistan in Asia Cup last year. It was also his 3rd ton very Australia and first such innings this year.

With only 2 more matches remaining before the World Cup, this effort is sure to settle down nerves in the Indian dressing room as the form of the top order has played a huge part in India’s golden run in ODI cricket over the last 15 months.