Firstpost Cricast Episode 6: MS Dhoni puzzling innings, Rohit Sharma's magnificent hundred and other talking points from SCG ODI

Rohit Sharma’s knock of 133 was not enough to see India cross the finishing line as Australia won the first ODI against India by 34 runs to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. In this podcast Firstpost discuss the uphill task faced by Team India during the SCG ODI. Australia, dressed in their retro 80s kit, won the toss and elected to bat first, but skipper Aaron Finch departed early after being bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Other opener Alex Carey did not last too long after that but each of the next three wickets added at least 50 for it and with 93 runs coming from the final 10 overs, that propelled their score to 288. India, needing just 5.78 runs per over were in early strife as they lost three wickets to Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson leaving India 4/3. With Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu back in the pavilion, it was the Rohit Sharma-MS Dhoni partnership of 137 runs that looked like it could bring them back into the game. Dhoni departed for 51 but it took 96 deliveries and with the Aussie bowlers slowing down their pace, it made it increasingly difficult for India’s batsmen to score freely. In the end, Rohit tried his best to get India closer but the lack of pace on a slow pitch and with without too much support from the other end, he fell to Marcus Stoinis to leave the game firmly in Australia’s grasp.