Brisbane: In-form opener Rohit Sharma slammed his second successive century to help India post a challenging 308 for eight against an Australian attack that lacked bite in the second cricket ODI here on Friday.
Electing to bat at the GABBA, the visitors lost opener Shikhar Dhawan early (6) but a 125-run second-wicket partnership between Rohit (124) and Virat Kohli (59) ensured that the Men in Blue build a solid base.
Things were going along fine when Kohli was dismissed against the run of play. He went for a quick double even as Rohit tried to send him back, but he went ahead for the second run nevertheless and was run-out in the 24th over as Kane Richardson’s throw from square leg found him short.
Rohit carried on in the same vein, stitching a 121-run third-wicket stand with Ajinkya Rahane (89).
Rohit, who had blasted 171 in a losing cause at Perth, smashed 11 fours and three sixes during his 127-ball stay at the crease.
Rohit, who registered his 10th ODI hundred, though was unlucky to be run out after his partner’s drive caught the finger of James Faulkner to hit the stumps at the non-strikers end.
Rahane then turned pilot to smash six fours and a six in his 80-ball knock to finally return to the pavilion in the penultimate over.
India stuttered in the final few overs as the Australian quicks picked up four wickets in the last 10 deliveries.
Left-arm pacer James Faulkner bagged two wickets while Joel Paris, John Hastings and Scott Boland bagged a wicket each even as they failed to contain the flow of runs.
PTI
