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India's Gautam Gambhir - Source: Reuters -
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A quickfire century by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni set up
India's 99-run victory over Australia on Thursday as the home team
levelled the one-day series 1-1.
Man of the match Dhoni hit 124 off 107 balls, putting on 119 for
the fourth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (76) and 136 for the next
with Suresh Raina (62) to propel India to 354 for seven after they
lost the toss in the day-night game.
After India compiled their highest one-day total against Australia,
paceman Praveen Kumar took two early wickets including skipper
Ricky Ponting for 12, to help Dhoni's team bowl out the visitors
for 255 in 48.3 overs.
Michael Hussey (53) recorded his second consecutive half-century
for Australia but young left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took three
for 35 to trigger a middle-order collapse and fast bowler Ishant
Sharma claimed two for 37.
Earlier, Gambhir struck his second consecutive half-century as he
and Dhoni turned the heat on an Australia attack weakened by the
absence of injured pair Brett Lee and James Hopes.
Direct hit
Gambhir was run out by a direct hit at the non-striker's end after
being sent back by Dhoni but the skipper and Raina tore into the
bowling, smashing 108 runs in the final 10 overs.
Dhoni cracked nine fours and three sixes and reached his fifth
one-day international century with a straight six off medium-pacer
Shane Watson before falling in the final over to Mitchell Johnson
(3-75).
Kumar then clean bowled Australia opener Tim Paine for eight before
Sharma forced Watson (19) to edge to Sachin Tendulkar at slip with
his first delivery.
Ponting was trapped lbw in the 11th over before Hussey forged
useful partnerships with Cameron White (23) and Adam Voges
(36).
Jadeja, though, dismissed Hussey, Shaun Marsh (21) and Voges to end
Australia's chances.
The third game of the seven-match series will be in New Delhi on
Sunday.
