Rajkot, Jan 17 (UNI) Brilliant batting efforts by Shikhar Dhawan (96 off 90), KL Rahul (80 off 52) and Virat Kohli (78 off 76) powered India to a formidable total of 340-6 against Australia in the second ODI of the three match series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium, here on Friday.
Apart from the trio of Dhawn, Rahu and Kohli, Rohit Sharma also played an important innings of 42 off 44 to help India to post a challenging total at Rajkot.
After being put into bat first by Australia captain Aaron Finch, India were off to a good start and scored 55/0 runs in the first powerplay.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan stitched a partnership of 81 runs for the first wicket. Adam Zampa took the first wicket as Rohit (42 off 44) missed his half-century.
Captain Virat Kohli, who batted at No 4 in the previous game, came to bat at No 3 after Rohit's wicket. Virat along with Dhawan batted cautiously and took India to 107/1 after 18 overs.
During the course, Shikhar Dhawan also scored his 29th fifty in ODIs off 60 balls and third in a row after his 52 and 74 against Sri Lanka and Australia, respectively.
Kane Richardson gave Australia the much needed breakthrough by dismissing Dhawan, who missed his 18th ODI century by just four runs.
The Indian opener departed after scoring 96 off 90 deliveries and shared a 103 run stand with Virat for the 2nd wicket. Shreyas Iyer (7 off17 ), who came to bat next, couldn't do much and got out to Adam Zampa.
MORE UNI AVK JW1809