Dhoni leads India to easy victory

Dhoni leads India to easy victory

Captain Mahendra Dhoni struck a magnificent 124 as India beat Australia by 99 runs in Nagpur to square the seven-match one-day series at 1-1.

Dhoni's knock came from just 107 balls and propelled the hosts to 354-7, their highest score against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) also made hay after India were put in first by the world champions.

In reply, Mike Hussey made 53, but Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 255.

Meanwhile, Australia's injury problems mounted as wicketkeeper Tim Paine was ruled out of the rest of the series with a finger injury.

The Aussies expect to have a replacement for Paine before the next ODI in Delhi on Saturday, but they have not named his substitute. There are no other specialist wicketkeepers in the original squad.

Reflecting on his first century since June, Dhoni said: "It's a special century because it has come after such a long time.

"When you bat at number five or six you usually get a 60 or an 80, but you can also get out playing big shots.

"Today, I had ample time to build my innings and I just exploited a good batting surface.

606: DEBATE
Given this is an Aussie second XI, this should only count as half points

Pearl
"I don't think it is the best innings I've ever played, but this performance is a good feeling."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he had thought dew would be a factor when he won the toss and opted to field.

"It was always going to be a hard run-chase. The wicket was very good and to be honest I thought at the toss it would slide a bit later on.

"But the dew which we expected didn't come in tonight. But full credit to India, they outplayed us in every aspect of the game.

"We've been beaten easily tonight, but it's still 1-1 and we move into Delhi and start from scratch."

Dhoni, whose fifth one-day century included nine fours and three sixes, put on 119 with Gambir in a dazzling fourth-wicket stand.

Dhoni and Raina then put on 136 from 93 balls for the fifth wicket as Australia, without injured paceman Brett Lee and all-rounder James Hopes, were plundered for 108 runs in the final 10 overs.

Dhoni reached his hundred by smashing Shane Watson for a straight six, and celebrated the landmark with another towering six off the next ball.

The aggressive Indian captain was one of three batsmen to be dismissed in the 50th over, with Mitchell Johnson - who was not fully fit - finishing with figures of 3-75.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson had claimed the wicket of Virender Sehwag in the 11th over, caught at mid-off attempting a big hit.

Sehwag smashed 40 off 31 balls to give India the momentum after veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar was removed by Peter Siddle in the fourth over.

Praveen Kumar bowled a fine opening spell for India, removing Paine and Ponting, before left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja ripped through the Australia middle order.

He removed Hussey, Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh, and despite some spirited hitting from the Australia tail-end, the tourists were dismissed with nine balls remaining.