India have set a huge target of 353 runs for Australia in the 14th match of the ICC World Cup 2019 here at The Oval on Sunday.
Dhawan led the Indian charge after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and batted — a decision he said was a “no-brainer” given the sunny conditions in south London. The left-handed Dhawan put on 127 runs with opening partner Rohit Sharma as India reached 190 for one in 33 overs.
Dhawan and Sharma took the attack to the reigning champions bowlers after a cautious start against the Australia new-ball pair of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile finally struck in the 23rd over, having Sharma caught behind after the opener recorded his 42nd ODI fifty. It was a first wicket of the World Cup for Coulter-Nile, who feared he might be dropped after an unsuccessful bowling stint despite a match-winning 92 with the bat in Australia s narrow win over the West Indies last time out.
Dhawan stood firm at the other end, however, to convert just his second fifty-plus score in 10 innings into a hundred with a single of Marcus Stoinis. He acknowledged his century — his 17th at this level — by taking off his helmet and waving his bat to huge cheers from a largely India-supporting crowd.
The top four sides from the 10-team round-robin group stage will contest the semi-finals, with the final at Lord s, in northwest London, on July 14.
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli said it was a “no-brainer” to bat first against Australia after winning the toss in a key World Cup match.
India, the world’s number two side in one-day international cricket, and one of the favourites to win the 50-over showpiece event, were unchanged from their tournament-opening win over South Africa. “It looks like a really nice wicket,” said Kohli at the toss. “It’s nice and hard and dry. It’s a used pitch and we think it’s going to get lower and slower as the game goes on. Scoreboard pressure is always going to count.
“The sun is out, it’s the Oval – it’s a no-brainer to bat first,” the star batsman added. As for India fielding an unchanged side, Kohli said: “The bowling line-up was really balanced. We don’t want to change anything. “We won the first game, the team is in good spirits, and we want to come out here and execute the same game plan.”
Reigning champions Australia have won both their games in this World Cup so far. They picked the same side that edged out the West Indies by 15 runs in Nottingham on Thursday.
Australia captain Aaron Finch admitted he would have also batted first had he won the toss, but backed his side to maintain their winning run all the same. “I would have batted first, for the same reasons as Virat,” said Finch. “It might get a little bit slower later on. Either way, in the first 10 overs you’ve got to look to do the business. “We weighed up making chances but we’re confident with the way we’ve been going.”
Australia are on a 10-match winning streak in ODIs but Finch added: “In a World Cup — it’s a different kind of pressure than playing a series against the same side. It’s another good opportunity for the players to impress.”
