Rohit's ton goes in vain as Australia win second ODI by 7 wickets
It was a repetition of sorts for both the teams as India won the toss yet again and choose to bat.
The stark similarity however did not end there as Shikhar Dhawan got out cheaply for 6, Rohir Sharma then went on to forge a century plus stand with Virat Kohli and the two scored a century and a half century respective. So much similar was the game that Australia chased down the 300 plus target in the last over.
Rohit Sharma now has the highest number of centuries in Australia by an Indian, but his last two coming in ensuing innings meant he ended up in the losing side.
India batted hard and put up a competitive 308 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Rohit as usual hit a fine century, 124 off 127 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Virat Kohli, who missed his century the other day by a few runs, scored 59 runs off 67 balls. Kohli's innings consisted of 4 fours.
Ajinkya Rahane who didn't get a chance to bat in the first ODI made his presence felt as he played a fluent innings of 89, striking at more than run-a-ball. His 80-ball knock was laden with 6 boundaries and a six.
Sharma first built a 125-run partnership for the second wicket with Virat Kohli to steady the Indian innings and then forged another 121-run partnership with Rahane for the ensuing wicket to take India to a safe harbour.
Though the stage was set for a late slog, the visitors kept on losing wickets at regular intervals to end with 308 runs.
India also suffered 3 run-outs and the rest of the wickets were picked by James Faulkner (2), Scott Boland (1), Josh Hastings (1) and Joel Paris (1).
After losing 2 early wickets in the first match, the new Aussie opening pair of Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh added 145 runs for the opening stand.
After both the openers departed for a personal score of 71, Aussie captain Steve Smith and George Bailey toyed with the Indian bowling, milking them for singles and two's, while hitting the occasional boundary.
Though Smith was picked up by Umesh Yadav for 46, ending a 78-run partnership, Bailey (76 not out) teamed up with Glenn Maxwell (26 not out) to forge another 60 plus stand for the 4th wicket.
The hosts wrapped up the game with a over to spare.
For India, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a wicket each.
Rohit Sharma was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for his hundred.
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