Faulkner blitz routs India

Oct 19, 2013

Australia chose to field in Mohali, and got off to a great start, as Shikhar Dhawan edged a length ball from Clint McKay back to Brad Haddin in the second over•BCCI

Mitchell Johnson then struck with wickets off successive deliveries to send Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh back, leaving India struggling at 76 for 4 after 13 overs•BCCI

Dhoni reached his ninth ODI century off 107 deliveries, and took full advantage of a dropped catch from George Bailey, as he powered to a 121-ball 139 to take India to 303•BCCI

Adam Voges and George Bailey added 83 runs for the fourth wicket to give Australia hope, but the visitors still faced a steep asking rate•BCCI

Rohit Sharma had ended a three-year long wait for a century in Jaipur, but was removed by Shane Watson for 11 here•BCCI

But Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni helped them recover with a 72-run stand•BCCI

Australia began their run-chase brightly, as Phillip Hughes and Aaron Finch added 68 for the opening wicket•BCCI

With Australia needing 44 from 18 balls, India seemed to be heading to victory. James Faulkner, however, turned the game around by slamming Ishant Sharma for 30 runs in the 48th over•BCCI

Kohli was dismissed for 68 - his third successive 50-plus score of the series, but Dhoni took the attack to Australia, blasting 12 fours and five sixes•BCCI

India fought back with three quick wickets to stifle Australia and leave them precariously placed at 89 for 3 in the 20th over•BCCI

Faulkner and Voges held their nerve in the last two overs to see Australia through. Faulkner sealed a remarkable four-wicket win with a six off Vinay Kumar•BCCI