Image Source : BCCI
On this day, January 12, 2019: Rohit Sharma scored a century against Australia at the SCG. This century in Australia made him the break the record of most hundreds by any touring batter in Australia in ODIs. Earlier the Windies legend Viv Richards held this record with three centuries. India captain Virat Kohli had scored two ODI hundreds in Australia and was joint-third on the list along with eight other batsmen from all corners of the world. It was an exciting match at Sydney with Australia choosing to bat first on a surface that looked really good for batting.
Australia on the back of impressive fifties by Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb scored 288/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Khawaja, as India managed to restrict the home team to 288. There was some help for the pacers with the new ball and it looked a good score. But India with such a good batting depth would have fancied their chances in the chase.
In reply, India lost their three key players Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu within five overs which meant India were had a lot of catching up to do in the run chase. Rohit Sharma displayed tremendous grit and played a lone battle for India as the rest of the batsmen kept departing soon after their arrival to the crease. Chasing a tough total of 289, India could only score 253/9 in the stipulated 50 overs as Rohit Sharma’s masterful knock of 133 went in vain. Rohit and MS Dhoni’s (51) century stand after India’s top-order was rattled by the Aussie pacers.
Rohit Sharma who was playing his 194th ODI who looked in ominous touch and sent the Australians on a leather hunt with ease, brought up his century off 110 balls. Ganguly played 311 ODIs and scored 22 centuries in his ODI career. Rohit equalled Ganguly's record on that day. Unfortunately, India lost the game as it was a clinical effort from Australia batsman followed by a superb spell of pace bowling from Jhye Richardson helped Australia beat India by 34 runs in the first match of the series. Rohit Sharma played a knock that was quite entertaining.
