In-form India outclass Australia in World Cup
Shikhar Dhawan smashed a century as India produced a masterful batting display to beat a spirited Australia by 36 runs in a marquee World Cup clash at the Kennington Oval here on Sunday.
Playing in front a large number of Indian spectators, Dhawan starred in the run-fest with a strokeful 117 while skipper Virat Kohli also chipped in with a quickfire 82 to help India post a mammoth 352/5 after opting to bat first on a flat deck.
With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/50) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/61) did the maximum damage with the former denting Aussies’ hopes of a fightback by dismissing Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis in the 40th over.
Australia were in the hunt for most part of their chase with Smith (69; 70 balls, 4×5, 6×1) doing the spadework and wicketkeeper Alex Carey hitting a whirlwind unbeaten 55 off 35 balls (4×5, 6×1).
