Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni help India beat Australia in Adelaide ODI, level series 1-1
Adelaide, Jan 15 (IBNS): Indian run machine Virat Kohli smashed a heroic 104 runs knock and MS Dhoni joined him in playing a crucial knock of 55 runs as India thrashed Australia by six wickets in the second ODI here to level the series 1-1 on Tuesday.
After Australia posted a massive 298 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs, Kohli and Dhoni stitched a crucial partnership as India reached the winning 299 runs by losing just four wickets with four balls to spare.
Kohli was at his best on Tuesday when he played yet another memorable knock of 112-ball 104 runs which helped his side inch closer to victory.
Dhoni (55*), giving a strong response to his critics, joined the party in sealing a major victory on the Australian soil after suffering defeat in the first match.
Kohli smashed five boundaries and two massives sixes in his innings while Dhoni hammered two in crucial junctures in the match.
Rayudu (24), Dinesh Karthik (25*), Shikhar Dhawan (32) and Rohit Sharma (43) made important contributions in the match.
The signature moment of the innings was Dhoni's six in the last over which sealed the victory for India and once again proved the need for him to be a part of the World Cup squad.
An aggressive 131 by Shaun Marsh powered Australia to a commanding 298 for 9 at the end of 50 overs in the second oneday cricket match against India on Tuesday, leaving the visitors with a daunting task to score 299 to level the series.
Marsh, who has been dropped from the Test squad after failing to perform against India in the longest format, batted with vengeance to answer his critics in the shorter format, to score his 7th ODI ton in just 108 balls.
Marsh was ably supported on the other end by Glenn Maxwell who played an exciting cameo. He was dismissed for 48, after which Marsh was dismissed for 131 off 123 balls.
For India, pacer Bhubaneswar Kumar was the most successful bowler to claim four wickets giving away 45 runs. He was followed by another quickie, Mohammad Shami, who captured three wickets for 58 runs Ravindra Jadeja secured one wicket.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Australia got off to a slow start with openers Aaron Finch and Alex Carey struggling against Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
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