India vs South Africa: Shikhar Dhawan records first ODI ton
Like his debut century in Tests, which came off 85 balls, Dhawan's maiden ton in the coloured clothing for India came in just 80 balls.
Shikhar Dhawan got India's campaign in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy off to a flying start as he registered his first hundred in one-day internationals in the tournament opener against South Africa in Cardiff on Thursday. (Match scorecard)
Dhawan, who became Indian cricket's latest poster boy by scoring a swashbuckling ton on Test debut versus Australia, reached the three-figure mark with a swat over deep square leg off the bowling of Rory Klienveldt. (Live Blog)
Like his debut century in Tests, which came off 85 balls, Dhawan's maiden ton in the coloured clothing for India came in just 80 balls. I am courageous by nature: Dhawan
Dhawan hit 12 fours and a six in his 94-ball 114 which ended in the 38th over when he swept off spinner JP Duminy to square leg.
Interestingly, Dhawan, prior to this knock was no big deal in ODIs, having scored just 69 runs in five previous matches. His selection in the Champions Trophy side was due to his well-remembered 174-ball 187-run knock on Test debut.
He started the innings on a cautious note with Rohit Sharma but went on to take the attack to the bowlers after settling into a good rhythm. Dhawan and Rohit stitched a 127-run stand to give team India a superb platform. India beat South Africa by 26 runs
For the statistically minded, in the last 6 years only two left-handers have made ODI centuries against South Africa - Kumar Sangakkara at Johannesburg in January 2012 and today Dhawan. India unbeaten against South Africa in Champions Trophy