India regained the number one ranking in One-Day Internationals, decimating world champions Australia by 7 wickets in the fifth and final game in Nagpur to take the series 4-1. Rohit Sharma-led India’s reply with a brilliant knock of 125 as India chased down the total with more than seven overs remaining.
Chasing a modest 243, India were off to flying start once again as Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane shared their third consecutive century partnership. Rohit, who had scored half-centuries in the last two games, did not have a fluent start as he could not get off the mark on the first 14 balls he faced while Rahane was batting at ease, slamming four cracking boundaries to race to 17 off 19 as India scored 43 in the first ten overs.
However, Rohit soon found his rhythm while Rahane continued to play fluently. The Indian openers had some nervy moments when Steve Smith operate his spinners- Travis Head and Adam Zampa in tandem with some close-in fielders, but the batsmen did well to negate the threat. The duo added 124 runs before Nathan Coulter-Nile broke the partnership by dismissing Rahane for 61.
Rohit and Virat Kohli then all but sealed the game in India’s favour by adding 99 runs for the second wicket before both of them were dismissed in quick succession. Kedar Jadhav and Manish Pandey then ensured that the hosts reach the target without suffering any further setback.
Earlier, Australia’s middle-order once again faltered as the world champions failed to post a good total despite being given a good start by Aaron Finch and David Warner. The in-form openers added 66 runs for the first wicket before Kedar Jadhav sent back Finch. Australia soon found themselves four down with 118 runs on the board before Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis steadied the ship with an 87-run stand. However, once the partnership was broken, Australia kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted for 242 for 9.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
Can't think of any other player in the world in recent times who dominated the Ozies as much as @ImRo45 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ZYXvfzo29E
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/914502707230105603
rohit hits the most gorgeous sixes known to cricket #INDvAUS
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 1, 2017
Not to take anything away from Rohit Sharma's talent, but this is one of the worst Australian teams to have come to India.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) October 1, 2017
Virat Kohli should have sent MS Dhoni instead of Pandey to irritate Australian team till the 50th over.#INDVAUS
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) October 1, 2017
The 2013 double hundred was when @ImRo45 completed his first 3000 runs in 103 innings, the next 3000 have come in 59 inn (10x100s) #IndvAus
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 1, 2017
When Rohit Sharma realizes that he has a good chance to score a century but he will now have Virat Kohli in the non striker's end. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/1YeUgVQ2Cy
— Achu (@Bultaulta) October 1, 2017
PIC1:How Others See When Virat Kohli Comes In To Bat
PIC2:How Rohit Sharma Sees When Virat Kohli Comes In To Bat#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS 5th ODI pic.twitter.com/5hXCyYgbTv— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) October 1, 2017
These Aussies are so terrible. We could have played Sri Lanka again. #INDvAUS
— Pritam Sharma (@VanDiablo) October 1, 2017
50s & 60s are new 20s & 30s for Rahane. Has started notching up fifties consistently but still succumbs to soft dismissals after getting set
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) October 1, 2017
Splendid series for @ajinkyarahane88. Reminded the team management of his talent in the best way possible — keep hammering runs
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 1, 2017
Aussies blowing up gr8 start with loose shots. Middle & lower order hasnt been reliable this series. India have chance to throttle innings
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cric_Lama/status/914450472903180288
Runs scored by Wade –
Toe end of the bat > middle of the bat#INDvAUS
— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) October 1, 2017
MS Dhoni's shout overturned. Now can we expect Petrol price to come down? #INDvAUS
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 1, 2017
*In the middle after first wicket*
Warner: Bhai Dhinkchak Pooja to be in Bigg Boss.
Smith: Can't miss her entry tonight.
*COLLAPSE*#INDvAUS— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 1, 2017