India vs Australia, 2nd ODI, Nagpur

India Beat Australia by 99-runs in 2nd ODI

Nagpur: Skipper MS Dhoni led India from the front to thrash Australia by 99 runs in the second One-Day International and level the 7-match series 1-1 in Nagpur.

Chasing 355 in 50 overs, Australia never looked in the chase and India kept chipping at the wickets. Michael Hussey was the highest scorer for the visitors with 53 while for the hosts, Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 35.

The series now stands levelled at 1-1 with 5 more matches to play.Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.Comprehensive win for the hosts by 99 runs.

Australia never looked in the chase and India kept chipping at the wickets. Michael Hussey was the highest scorer for the visitors with 53 while for the hosts, Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/35. The series now stands levelled at 1-1.

Earlier, Australia skipper Ponting, asked to bat, Indian batsmen made merry on a good batting track that provided initial help to bowlers. Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored a well-paced century as India piled on a massive 354 for seven in the second One-Day International against Australia here Wednesday.

Highlights of the match

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Raina shared a 136-run stand for the fifth wicket, which is India's second highest against Australia.

India registered 350 or more for the 12th time in ODIs.

India's total is the best by any team batting first against Australia.

India (354 for 7) posted their highest total against Australia, surpassing the 315 at Bangalore on March 25, 2001.

Dhoni's innings of 124 off 107 balls is his first century against Australia and his fifth in ODIs.

Dhoni's innings is now the highest by a captain and as well wicketkeeper against Australia in ODIs.

Ravindra Jadeja (3/35) registered his best bowling performance in ODIs.

The Indian captain scored 124 off 107 balls, his fifth century, while Gautam Gambhir struck 76 off 80 balls. After Gambhir's exit, Suresh Raina played a perfect foil to Dhoni, smashing 62 off 50 balls.

Dhoni added 119 runs with Gambhir and 136 with Raina.

Dhoni's half-century came in 55 balls and included three fours, before he plundered the bowling in the death, bludgeoning six fours and three sixes.

Virender Sehwag laid the foundation with a blistering 40 off 31 balls with the help of six fours and one six. Yuvraj Singh, coming back to international cricket after missing the Champions Trophy, kept the momentum going, scoring 23 off 24 balls.

Sachin Tendulkar (4) was out early, edging one to the slip off Peter Siddle while going for an expansive drive.

Sehwag looked in ominous touch as he clobbered the new ball in his inimitable style, raising 46 runs with Gambhir, before being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson (3-75).

Yuvraj was out after striking two fours and a six and India were three down for 97 runs.

Gambhir hit six fours in his 80-ball knock and looked set for a century but was unfortunate to be run-out.

Dhoni and Raina then shifted gears. The captain reached his century in style, hitting two consecutive sixes off Shane Watson that also brought the 300 for the team.

Johnson's last over accounted for the wickets of Dhoni, Raina and Praveen Kumar (run out), conceding only five runs.

Brief score
India: 354 for 7 (Dhoni 124, Gambhir 76, Raina 62, Johnson 3-75)
Australia: 255 (Hussey 53, Jadeja 3-35)
Result: India won by 99-runs
MOM: MS Dhoni (India)