INDIA LEFT WITH HUGE RUN CHASE
Australia in line for victory in 3-game series
Virat Kohli smashed his 39th one-day international century as India claimed a dramatic sixwicket victory over Australia at a sweltering Adelaide Oval on Tuesday to level up the threematch series at 1-1.
Skipper Kohli contributed 104 of his side’s runs as they successfully chased down their victory target of 299 for the loss of four wickets to send the series into a decider on Friday at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, clearly suffering in the heat, smashed a huge six to bring the scores level and reach his half century before scoring the winning run with four balls to spare.
“Very pleased,” Kohli said afterwards. “It was a really tough day. MS in the end was tired as well. We need a good day’s rest, a good day’s travel and then we’ll recuperate and get ready for the MCG.”
Shaun Marsh had earlier scored a sparkling 131, his second century in three outings in the format, to drive the hosts to 298 for nine in their 50 overs in the heat of the afternoon when temperatures soared well above the 40° Celsius mark.
Kohli took his century off 108 balls, after taking two runs to square leg to reach the mark.
In all, he hit five fours and two sixes in his 112-ball innings, but left disappointed after smacking a Jhye Richardson delivery straight to Glenn Maxwell on the deep midwicket boundary in the 44th over.
Dhoni (55 not out) had played within himself as he kept Kohli company in a partnership of 82 but hit a six for his first boundary soon after his captain departed and added 57 with Dinesh Karthik (25 not out) to get the tourists over the line. –