Canberra ODI: Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan Tons Fail to Lift India vs Australia
Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan scored centuries in the fourth ODI against Australia in Canberra. Chasing 349, Kohli and Dhawan scored their 25th and ninth tons, respectively. But at the end it was not enough as India lost by 25 runs to concede a 4-0 lead in the series
Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan slammed blazing tons as India chased Australia's 348 for 8 in the fourth ODI in Canberra on Wednesday. However, the brave effort failed to take India to win, as they lost by 25 runs to concede a 4-0 lead to Australia. (Scorecard | Updates)
While Kohli reached his 25th ton off 84 balls, Dhawan took 92 deliveries to slam his ninth ton. Kohli's innings included 11 fours and 1 six, while Dhawan hit 12 fours and two sixes.
Dhawan departed at 126, in the 38th over, when was caught at backward point by George Bailey off John Hastings . Then Kohli's innings came to an end in the 40th over, when he was batting on 106. His mistimed shot off Richardson was caught easily by Australia skipper Steven Smith.ÂÂ
Except Hastings, the Indian duo went after all the other Australian bowlers. Barring Hastings, none had economy-rate of less than 6.50.
India had the perfect start, with openers Dhawan and Rohit Sharma going after the bowlers. Though Rohit Sharma fell after a whirlwind 25-ball 41 off Kane Richardson, No.3 Kohli ensured that India were never off the target.
Kohli, who has over 7200 ODI runs, took a special liking for Faulkner, as the Aussie pacer gave away 36 runs in four overs to be the costliest Australian bowler. Dhawan targeted off-spinner Nathan Lyon more, as he conceded 61 off seven overs, to be the second most costliest Aussie bowler.
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Dhawan was the first to reach the triple-figure mark as he hit Lyon for four in the point region on the fourth ball of the 30th over. Kohli got his with a heave at deep point off Hastings in the 36th over of the innings.
The Delhi lads' centuries have come at contrasting phases of their careers.
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Kohli in Brilliant Form
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Kohli, India's Test captain, came into the game on the back of a brilliant 117 in Melbourne. His scores in the Perth and Brisbane ODIs were 91 and 59, respectively. This inspiring ton again showed why he is considered a worthy successor of ODI and T20 skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Dhawan, on the other hand, was under fire for not performing as expected right from the South Africa series at home. Though he scored a patient 68 in the Melbourne ODI, he was criticised for being too slow. But Wednesday's ton, will definitely shut up his detractors for some time now.
After three successive losses in the five-match series, India needed such inspired performances to boost the morale of the team. India have to win at least one match of the five-game series to keep their No. 2 ranking intact.