The best ODI batsman at the moment, Virat Kohli scored his 40th hundred during the Nagpur match against Australia. However, apart from him, only Vijay Shankar had hit a few runs – 46 off 41 balls; while the others failed to hit the purple patch, including the openers and last match heroes – Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni. For Australia, Pat Cummins stood out – picking up four wickets, while Adam Zampa picked two wickets. In the end, the hosts scored 250.
Kohli hits ton; Shankar’s shine as well
India didn’t get off to a good start in the second ODI, as Pat Cummins got Rohit Sharma’s number inside the first over on zero. As Australia had won the toss and asked India to bat, they didn’t mind such a beginning. Though Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli added 38 runs for the second wicket, Maxwell was quick in removing Dhawan – trapping him in front of the wickets. It was about time before Ambati Rayudu returned to the pavilion as well.
At that stage, Vijay Shankar joined Kohli in the middle and took the onus on himself. The all-rounder who had played up the order during NZ T20Is got a brilliant chance to showcase his skill – which he did brilliantly. As he was going strong, a straight shot off Kohli got him run-out on 46 off 41 balls. Meanwhile, Australia bagged two quick wickets in Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni off successive balls – leaving India reeling at 171 for six.
After that, it was all about Virat Kohli, who completed his 40th ODI hundred and broke a dozen records in the meantime. Courtesy his century, India hit 250.
Here is how the Twitter reacted to India’s first innings tally against Australia in the Nagpur ODI –
Top innings. Another day at work. Century for Virat Kohli. 40 in 224 innings is an unreal stat.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019
? @imVkohli ??????????
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 5, 2019
And that’s 100 number 40 from the skipper. Terrific innings on a difficult wicket. 260 should be good enough with quality spinners in the team. Well played @imVkohli
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 5, 2019
Forget Vijay Shankar the all rounder, let’s focus on Vijay Shankar the batsman. That innings of 46 was oozing class. ????#AUSvIND
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 5, 2019
This is @imVkohli at his finest, getting runs amidst the ruins! In slightly challenging conditions, he's just backed himself and let go of the ego of a great batsman. Even in cruise mode he's delivered a potentially match-winning Century #Virat40th100 #IndvsAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 5, 2019
Vijay Shankar has been extremely impressive. This is who he is. A quality batsman who can give you a few overs.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019
Cruel, absolutely cruel for Vijay Shankar. Batting so fluently… #IndvAus
p.s- Shankar at no.4 might not be a bad idea when Pandya returns.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 5, 2019
Clearly, Vijay Shankar has better batting techniques than Hardik Pandya.#INDvAUS
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 5, 2019
Vijay Shankar has been very impressive since the NZ series.✔️all the boxes to bat in the middle order for me.
bat when team under preasure,rotate strike vs spin/pace,can change gears. With his bowling can be an asset but need to remember, he's a batsman who can bowl #INDvAUS— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) March 5, 2019
When someone ask me who is virat kohli?
Me – #INDvAUS #Viratkohli #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/2fQEgL5Vaz— good boy (@sharma_harender) March 5, 2019
