Australia are 159-2 after 31 overs against India in pursuit of their 353-run target in a key World Cup 2019 clash currently being played at the Oval.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan hit a sparkling century to help India post 352 for five. The opening batsman led the Indian charge after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and batted — a decision he said was a “no-brainer” given the sunny conditions in south London.
Kohli also came out all guns blazing to smash 82 and combine with Hardik Pandya for a 81-run third-wicket stand that saw the pair pummel world champions Australia’s bowlers.
The left-handed Dhawan made 117 off 109 balls and shared an opening stand of 127 with Rohit Sharma (57) that set the tone for the innings.
India’s total meant Australia were left needing to surpass Ireland’s 329 for seven against England in 2011, the highest score by any team batting second to win a World Cup match.
Dhawan and Sharma, who made 57, turned around their cautious start against the Australia new-ball pair of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to put India in control with their 16th century partnership in one-day internationals.
Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile finally struck in the 23rd over, having Sharma caught behind, with both Australia and India looking to extend unbeaten records at this year’s World Cup.
It was a first wicket of the World Cup for Coulter-Nile, who feared he might be dropped despite a match-winning 92 with the bat in Australia’s narrow win over the West Indies last time out.
Dhawan carried on, however, to reach a hundred with a single of Marcus Stoinis after the ball rebounded off the stumps.
He acknowledged his 17th ODI century by taking off his helmet and waving his bat to huge cheers from a largely India-supporting crowd.
The aggressive Dhawan then drove a 93 mph delivery from Starc straight past the left-arm quick’s head for four.
But Starc eventually had Dhawan caught at deep midwicket to end an innings featuring 16 boundaries Kohli, out for 18 in India’s opening win against South Africa, then took as all-rounder Pandya, pushed up the order, provided superb support for his skipper.
Kohli registered his 50th fifty at this level in an already illustrious career that has taken him to the top of the world’s batting chart in Test and ODI cricket.
Pandya, who was dropped first ball by wicket-keeper Alex Carey, made the most of his reprieve to hit 48 runs off just 27 deliveries before falling to Cummins.
MS Dhoni also chipped in with a brisk 27 as India scored 59 runs from the last five overs.
Stoinis took the wickets of Dhoni and Kohli in the last over but KL Rahul finished off the innings with a boundary.
Captain’s comments
India captain Virat Kohli said it was a “no-brainer” to bat first against Australia after winning the toss.
“It looks like a really nice wicket,” said Kohli. “It’s nice and hard and dry. It’s a used pitch and we think it’s going to get lower and slower as the game goes on. Scoreboard pressure is always going to count.
“The sun is out, it’s the Oval – it’s a no-brainer to bat first,” the star batsman added.
As for India fielding an unchanged side, Kohli said: “The bowling line-up was really balanced. We don’t want to change anything.
“We won the first game, the team is in good spirits, and we want to come out here and execute the same game plan.” Reigning champions Australia have won both their games in this World Cup so far.
They picked the same side that edged out the West Indies by 15 runs in Nottingham on Thursday.
Australia captain Aaron Finch admitted he would have also batted first had he won the toss, but backed his side to maintain their winning run all the same.
“I would have batted first, for the same reasons as Virat,” said Finch. “It might get a little bit slower later on. Either way, in the first 10 overs you’ve got to look to do the business. We weighed up making chances but we’re confident with the way we’ve been going.”
Australia are on a 10-match winning streak in ODIs but Finch added: “In a World Cup — it’s a different kind of pressure than playing a series against the same side. It’s another good opportunity for the players to impress.”
Lineups
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
