India Professional Response was Awestruck

India pulled off a cool heist and the young players who were in the bench, took the challenge to their own, and produced one of the brilliant run-chase ever in the history of ODI Cricket between India and Aussies. At the end of 1st innings, Aussies must have felt that they had enough in their bank, but it was shortlived as Indians where in control after an initial hiccup. The chase stood out for India's calm approach. They initially chose to conserve wickets and reserved their assault for the second half of the chase. At the half-way mark they had reached 117 for the loss of the openers and required another 173 runs



Kohli...making an impression



The 21-year-old Virat Kohli, who felt under pressure to cement his place in the side, struck a career-best 118 Wednesday as India cruised to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the second one-day international. By doing this, he struck 11 fours and a six during the 121-ball knock that helped the home side wrap up a win with seven deliveries to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Supported well by Suresh Raina (71 not out) and Yuvraj Singh (58), Kohli dominated the bowling with ease and bettered his previous best of 107 versus Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta last year.

Raina produced a well-paced 47-ball knock to power the team through under lights even as the inexperienced Australian pace bowlers tried hard to get the breakthroughs. Yuvraj was content playing second fiddle to Kohli during a 137-run third-wicket stand that laid the foundation for the big chase. The left-hander hit five fours off 87 balls before he was bowled trying to pull a slower one from Clint McKay.



Earlier, captain Michael Clarke produced a resolute century as Australia set a challenging 290-run target. Clarke compiled a neat 111 not out, returning to form in style after a forgettable test series in which he could manage only 35 runs in four innings. He was in two big stands with Michael Hussey (69) and Cameron White (89 not out) that lifted the team to 289-3 after being asked to bat.

Clarke struck seven fours and a six during his fifth one-day century, which lasted 138 deliveries. He first rescued the side with a 144-run stand for the third wicket with Hussey, and then powered it with a 129-run unbroken partnership for the fourth with big-hitting White. Hussey showed early flourish with some well-timed drives on the off side. The left-hander struck seven fours in a 78-ball innings and was happy to rotate the strike with Clarke when the ball was not coming on to the bat.

White smashed six fours and as many sixes during his 49-ball knock, as Australia raced ahead after being 186-3 in 42 overs, when the batting power play was taken. Australia added 114 in the last 10 overs, 84 off them off the last five, with seam bowler Vinay Kumar once going for 17 runs and then for 23 in the last over of the innings