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Indian openers set record over Aussies

3 minute read

India's openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have burnt Australia again, posting their sixth century stand against the Aussies in their World Cup match.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have again proved flies in the ointment for Australia, after the openers piled on the runs at The Oval.

Batting first in London, Dhawan hit a 94-ball century against Australia as part of a 127-run opening stand alongside Sharma in their World Cup match on Sunday.

It marked the sixth time the two openers have put on a century partnership against the Australians as India charged towards 5-352.

Only the great West Indies pairing of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes can claim to such a record against an opposition team, punishing India in the 1980s.

Out of form with three straight single-figure scores, Dhawan had no such troubles against Australia.

The Melbourne resident was glorious through the offside on Sunday.

He took his time early, before exploding into action when he helped take Nathan Coulter-Nile's first over for 14.

From there, the momentum was all India's. And Dhawan was the driving force.

He hit 13 boundaries in his century, before he brought up triple figures off an overthrow after a ball ricocheted off the stumps.

The hundred was Dhawan's fourth against Australia - his equal most of any opponent.

He was eventually out for 117, caught in the deep off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

Dhawan first made his name against Australia in 2013 at Mohali.

There, he scored the quickest Test century of a debutant when he brought up three figures off 85 balls, before finishing on 187.

Sharma's record is just as impressive individually, after he was knocked over for 57 on Sunday.

He averages 61.72 in 37 matches against Australia - the highest average of any player to have played at least 10 matches against the team.

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