A maiden One-Day International hundred from Manish Pandey, a 99 from Rohit Sharma and a half-century from Shikhar Dhawan helped India avoid a whitewash against Australia. The tourists won the final game of the five-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday by six wickets and saved some pride, losing the series by a 1-4 margin. It was, however, the first time that a team had successfully chased a target of more than 300 in Australia.
Chasing a competitive 331 to win, India got off to a good start, with Sharma and Dhawan (78) compiling a 123-run opening stand. Virat Kohli (8) fell early, before Sharma combined with Pandey and put India in the driver's seat. India's remarkable collapse at Canberra on Wednesday meant that the Australians were still very much in the game when Sharma was caught behind for 99, with the tourists needing 100 runs in 91 balls.
India's run-rate slowed down after the arrival of MS Dhoni at the crease. The Indian skipper was under pressure, especially after the Canberra loss, and it took him 36 balls to hit his first boundary. It was here that Pandey, playing in just his fourth ODI, decided to switch gears. With Dhoni just about managing to hold up the other end, the 26-year-old went on to score a quickfire hundred – his first in international cricket – to take his team home. It was only fair that he hit the winning runs, with two balls to spare, ending unbeaten on 104 off just 81 balls.
Earlier, David Warner (122) and Mitchell Marsh (102) dug Australia out of a hole. The hosts were in a bit of a fix at 117-4 after being asked to bat by India. However, the duo then both scored centuries and shared a 118-run partnership for the fifth wicket, allowing Australia to eventually post 330-7 on the board in 50 overs.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!