The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Kohli stars in India's win

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 22, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Kohli stars in India's win

Visakhapatnam: Virat Kohli tapped into hidden reserves of strength to brave past pain and pressure and helped India continue its winning streak against Australia.

Kohli's scintillating 118 (121b, 11x4, 1x6) coupled with Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina's adept supporting roles, set up India's five-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series here on Wednesday. After rains washed out the first game at Kochi, India now has an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series that will conclude at Margao on Sunday.

Chasing Australia's 289 for three in 50 overs, India lost Shikhar Dhawan and M. Vijay to Clint McKay. From 35 for two, Kohli and Yuvraj shared 137 runs for the third wicket off 152 balls.

Kohli's early impetus was gleaned from a pull off debutant seamer Mitchell Starc and Yuvraj (58) strode into his element while flicking John Hastings over mid-wicket. The southpaw's confidence rubbed onto Kohli and the two fashioned a partnership that was the right mix of industriousness and flair.

The 21-year old surged ahead despite cramps in his legs that forced him, at 81, to requisition a runner in Dhawan. The moment Kohli noticed that Raina (71 n.o.) was busy carving up James Hopes all over the park, the centurion opted to play second fiddle.

He came into his own again after notching up his third ODI hundred with a brace off Hastings and while the adrenaline throbbed, he clattered McKay past cover, down fine-leg and over mid-wicket. Kohli eventually perished with a tired shot but he had done his job and Raina lent the final touch with verve. India finished with 292 for five in 48.5 overs.

Australia: (for three wkts. in 50 overs): 289 .

India: S. Dhawan b McKay 0 ( 2b), M. Vijay c Paine b McKay 15 ( 18b, 3x4), V. Kohli c Hopes b Hastings 118 ( 121b, 11x4, 1x6), Yuvraj b McKay 58 ( 87b, 5x4), S. Raina (not out) 71 ( 47b, 9x4, 1x6), M.S. Dhoni b Hastings 0 ( 1b), S. Tiwary (not out) 12 ( 17b, 2x4); Extras (b-8, lb-1, w-9): 18; Total (for five wkts. in 48.5 overs): 292.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Dhawan), 2-35 (Vijay), 3-172 (Yuvraj), 4-256 (Kohli), 5-257 (Dhoni).

Power Plays: One (Overs 1-10): 40/2; Bowling (11-15): 28/0; Batting (43-47): 43/2.

Australia bowling: McKay 10-0-55-3, Starc 8.5-0-51-1, Hastings 10-1-44-2, Hopes 7-0-56-0, Hauritz 10-0-54-0, Smith 3-0-23-0 . — Special Correspondent

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport