ICC World Cup 2019: Shikhar Dhawan Registers New ODI Record in England

A century from Shikhar Dhawan and half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli propelled Indian National Cricket Team propelled to 352 runs against Australia at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Meanwhile, during his century-run knock, Dhawan broke ODI record of Sachin Tendulkar and teammate Rohit Sharma.

Dhawan achieves milestone in England

India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma took time early on seeing off the new ball from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. They took very minimal risk focusing mainly on rotating the strikes. However, once Aaron Finch removed both the strike bowlers, it was Dhawan who cut loose first. He took on Nathan Coulter Nile to shift gears as Rohit Sharma joined the party soon.

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They dominated the proceedings as Aaron Finch rotated his bowlers only to get hit. Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma crossed their 50-run mark before Nathan Coulter-Nile finally broke the 127-run stand removing Rohit Sharma for 57 runs. The southpaw then combined well with skipper Virat Kohli to lead the charge.

Dhawan continued to play his aggressive cricket and brought his third World Cup century. Meanwhile, this is also his fourth ODI century in England. As a result, Shikhar Dhawan leapfrogged Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, who both have three hundreds each to their name. The Indian management will hope Dhawan to play more such knocks in the upcoming matches in the World Cup.

Although Shikhar Dhawan went back after a well played 117-run knock, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya continued the carnage. Pandya, who came to England on the back of strong performances in the IPL, murdered the Australian bowlers to chip in with 27-ball 48 runs knock including four boundaries and three sixes. Kohli’ 82 and MS Dhoni’s quickfire 27 helped India to post 352 runs at the end of 50 overs which looks enough to walk away with a victory.