Indian top order fires against Australia

NAGPUR - Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored a well-paced century as India piled on a massive 354 for seven in the second One-Day International against Australia here Wednesday.

The Indian captain scored 124 off 107 balls, his fifth century, while Gautam Gambhir struck 76 off 80 balls. After Gambhir’s exit, Suresh Raina played a perfect foil to Dhoni, smashing 62 off 50 balls.

Dhoni added 119 runs with Gambhir and 136 with Raina.

Dhoni’s half-century came in 55 balls and included three fours, before he plundered the bowling in the death, bludgeoning six fours and three sixes.

Virender Sehwag laid the foundation with a blistering 40 off 31 balls with the help of six fours and one six. Yuvraj Singh, coming back to international cricket after missing the Champions Trophy, kept the momentum going, scoring 23 off 24 balls.

It was a compact performance by the Indian batsmen who fumbled while chasing 293 in the first ODI at Vadodara.

Asked to bat, Indian batsmen made merry on a good batting track that provided initial help to bowlers.

Sachin Tendulkar (4) was out early, edging one to the slip off Peter Siddle while going for an expansive drive.

Sehwag looked in ominous touch as he clobbered the new ball in his inimitable style, raising 46 runs with Gambhir, before being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson (3-75).

Yuvraj was out after striking two fours and a six and India were three down for 97 runs.

Dhoni and Gambhir then scored at a rapid pace. The duo were quick on their feet and rotated the strike comfortably. Despite not getting the big hits, they managed to maintain the run rate at six runs per over.

Gambhir hit six fours in his 80-ball knock and looked set for a century but was unfortunate to be run-out.

Dhoni and Raina then shifted gears. The captain reached his century in style, hitting two consecutive sixes off Shane Watson that also brought the 300 for the team.

Johnson’s last over accounted for the wickets of Dhoni, Raina and Praveen Kumar, conceding only five runs.