YOUNG Virat Kohli overcame a bout of cramps to make a career-best 118 as India posted a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international yesterday.
The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be played in Goa on Sunday (October 24).
Man-of-the-match Kohli upstaged Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored an unbeaten 111 for his fifth one-day hundred, helping his side post a big total.
Australian paceman Clint McKay jolted India with two quick wickets before Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (58) steadied the innings with a 137-run stand for the third wicket.
Batting with a runner because of leg cramps in the later part of his innings, Kohli was also involved in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina, who smashed one six and nine fours in his 47-ball 71 not out.
McKay took three wickets and debutant paceman John Hastings two.
“Yuvraj and Kohli got us back into the game, and then Raina supported Kohli well in the end,” said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“We’ll look to win the third game as well, because we want to get into the habit of winning before the World Cup.”
Clarke earlier played a key role in boosting Australia as he added 144 for the third wicket with Mike Hussey (69) and 129 for the unfinished fourth with Cameron White (89 not out).
White hammered six sixes and as many fours in his 49-ball knock as the tourists plundered 84 runs in the last five overs.
“White’s innings was unbelievable and I thought 290 was enough, but India chased well,” said Clarke.
“We are disappointed with the result and will try to rebuild. We’ll try to do better in the next game.”
Australia were struggling at 16-2 after being put in to bat before Clarke and Hussey steadied the innings.
Clarke completed his century in the 46th over, hitting paceman Vinay Kumar for two successive fours and then turning the next ball to mid-wicket for a single. He cracked one six and seven fours in his 138-ball knock.
Hussey was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after hitting seven fours, but not before setting the stage for a closing-overs onslaught.
Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra did the early damage when he dismissed openers Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine in his opening four overs.
India had to work hard for their next success as Clarke and Hussey paced their innings remarkably well, taking no risks and relying more on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving.
The rivals rested top players for the series to test their bench strength ahead of the World Cup to be hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in February-April next year.
