AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA, 2019 Virat Kohli's 40th ODI ton guides India to 250 by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Virat Kohli scored his 40th ODI century in Nagpur. © Getty Virat Kohli can put his 40th ODI century, one notched up in Nagpur on Tuesday, among his finest in 50-over cricket and it would be as worthy as any. It might have come in familiar conditions, devoid of external pressures and against an unexceptional bowling attack. But when stacked alongside how the other batsmen around him, barring Vijay Shankar, struggled to score freely on the slow track, it testifies for his excellent application on a testing pitch, scoring patiently yet at a good rate: 116 off 120 balls in India's 250. "The average score here is 292 but today might be different," were the words of Murali Karthik during the toss report, having witnessed the red soil wicket with ample cracks on offer. Not surprisingly, Australia beefed up their bowling with an additional spinner - Nathan Lyon coming in for Jason Behrendorff - while Shaun Marsh joined in, replacing Ashton Turner. India, on the other hand, came unchanged. In what proved to be a surprising start to the contest, Aaron Finch decided to field after winning the toss, on a wicket that didn't promise much for players against spin. India lost their openers early; Rohit Sharma slashing to the third man fielder in the first over and Shikhar Dhawan missing the line and getting trapped off a straight delivery by Glenn Maxwell. Kohli and Ambati Rayudu hung around for a bit and tried to resurrect the Indian innings. But after a dull period of 51 balls, the latter was adjudged leg before. He took a review but in vain, leaving India reduced to 51 for 3 in 17 overs. But then came the most entertaining period of batting, in an innings where attacking strokes were at a premium. Vijay Shankar, promoted to No 5, hit crisp and clean, unlike how the batsmen before and after him managed. He matched Kohli stroke for stroke and completely turned around the balance of the contest which was in the favour of the visitors in the first one-third of the innings. Shankar smashed five boundaries and pulled a short delivery by Marcus Stoinis over cow corner en route his 41-ball 46. Unfortunately, for the second time in two innings, his promising knock came to an end courtesy a run out in the 40s. On the fifth ball of the 29th over, Adam Zampa managed to get his fingers to a straight drive from Kohli as the ball hit the stumps's at the runner's end while Shankar was short of his crease while backing up. That dismissal proved to be a decisive point in India's innings as the batting stuttered again. Four overs later, Zampa struck twice in two balls, dismissing Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni to reduce India from 156 for 3 to 171 for 6. Kohli, nonetheless, continued to play some risk-free yet delightful strokes, and in company of a scratchy Ravindra Jadeja, revived India's innings yet again. The southpaw only had a supporting role to play, and aided by some poor fielding and a dropped catch, he worked his to a 40-ball 21. It may have not been the most significant of individual contributions but it proved mighty effective for the team's cause. In the course of his innings, Jadeja also became only the third Indian after Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar to register a 2000-run and 15-wicket double in ODIs. His fall, in the 46th over, after he failed to time a hit over the top and got caught at long off triggered another collapse. India lost their last four wickets in only 15 balls, getting bundled out for 250. Kohli's marathon knock, which included only 10 fours, ended with a mistimed pull to the deep mid wicket fielder. Pat Cummins (4 for 29) starred with the ball, returning his fifth four-fer in ODIs. Even as India failed to play their quota of overs, they would be fully aware that they have a competitive total on the board to defend. Brief Scores: India 250 in 48.2 overs (Virat Kohli 116, Vijay Shankar 46; Pat Cummins 4-29, Adam Zamps 2-62) vs Australia © Cricbuzz TAGS RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>Virat Kohli continued his brilliant run of form against Australia as he slammed his 40th ODI century in the second game of the five-match series in Nagpur on Tuesday. Thanks to this century, the Indian cricket team skipper came the second cricketer ever to score 40 centuries in this format of the game along with Sachin Tendulkar (49). Kohli looked completely in control against the Australia bowlers and in the process, was able to score his 18th century in ODIs as skipper. Currently, he is only second to former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting (22). READ: India vs Australia, 2nd ODI live cricket score in Nagpur Kohli paced his innings perfectly on a pitch that was assisting the spinners and although India keep losing wickets at regular intervals, he was able to keep his calm on the other end. He continued playing his natural game and along with Vijay Shankar, he steadied the innings after the hosts lost five wickets. Virat Kohli has converted each of his last 6 ODI fifties to centuries at home: - 121 vs NZ, Mumbai, 2017 113 vs NZ, Kanpur, 2017 140 vs WIN, Guwahati, 2018 157* vs WIN, Vizag, 2018 107 vs WIN, Pune, 2018 103* vs AUS, Today,2019 This was also Kohli’s seventh century against Australia - an opposition against whom he has enjoyed a brilliant run of form. Currently, that is second highest number of centuries against the Aussies along with Rohit Sharma and the list is topped by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar who scored an impressive nine hundreds.<doc-sep>Indian captain Virat Kohli scored his 40th One-Day International century during the second ODI against Australia as India were bowled out for 250. The 30-year-old got to the milestone off 107 deliveries at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Leading 1-0 in the five-match series, India were put into bat after Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to field. Apart from Kohli and Vijay Shankar’s (46 off 41) 81-run fourth wicket partnership, the hosts kept losing wickets consistently. Heroes from the first ODI, Kedar Jadhav (11 off 12) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni were removed off consecutive deliveries by leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Kohli, though, kept powering on and went on to make 116 off 120 balls. It was another masterful innings from the skipper, bailing India out of a precarious position. Virat Kohli is only the 6th player to score 9000 runs in International cricket as captain and the Quickest to get there – in 159 innings. No player before Kohli even scored 7000 International runs as captain in 159 innings. (Brian Lara – 7000 as captain in 164 inns) #INDvAUS — Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 5, 2019 Virat has scored six hundreds in his last 10 ODIs in India - that's some batting!#INDvAUS — Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 5, 2019 Since the 2015 World Cup, ODIs involving Virat Kohli have seen batsmen attack an average of 43% of deliveries, playing a false shot 15% of the time. In those games, Kohli has attacked 38% of balls, but played a false shot just 9% of the time. Consummate control.#INDvAUS — The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 5, 2019 Most ODI hundreds vs Australia: 9 Sachin Tendulkar (in 70 inns) 7 VIRAT KOHLI (in 31 inns) 7 Rohit Sharma (in 33 inns) 6 Desmond Haynes (in 64 inns) #INDvAUS — Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 5, 2019 This is Virat Kohli's first century against Australia at home in 18 International innings. Last home ton against the Aussies came in 2013 also at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. #INDvAUS — Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 5, 2019 Kohli's century: 40th in ODIs 65th in International cricket 18th as captain in ODIs 36th as captain in International#IndvAus — Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 5, 2019 40th ODI century: Sachin Tendulkar - 355 innings Virat Kohli - 216 innings#INDvAUS — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 5, 2019 Most centuries in List A cricket: 60 S Tendulkar (538 inngs) 44 G Gooch (601)/ V KOHLI (249*) 40 G Hick (630) 39 K Sangakkara (500)#INDvAUS — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 5, 2019 Virat Kohli becomes the first player to score seven or more centuries against three different teams in ODIs. v Sri Lanka (8), v Windies (7), v Australia (7)#INDvAUS — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 5, 2019 Most ODI hundreds: 49 Sachin Tendulkar (in 452 inns) 40 VIRAT KOHLI (in 216 inns) 30 Ricky Ponting (in 365 inns) #INDvAUS — Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 5, 2019 Most centuries in Asia in international cricket: 71 - Sachin Tendulkar 45 - Kumar Sangakkara 40 - VIRAT KOHLI* 39 - Mahela Jayawardene 33 - Younis Khan #INDvAUS — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 5, 2019 Kohli's 40 ODI 100s: 8 v SL 7 v WI, Aus 5 v NZ 4 v SA 3 v Eng, Ban 2 v Pak 1 v Zim#IndvAus — Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 5, 2019 ODI 100s for Virat Kohli - 40 (216 inngs) ODIs 100s for Kane Williamson, Joe Root & Steve Smith combined - 33 (346 inngs)#INDvAUS — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 5, 2019 Kohli as captain: Tests: 18 100s in 76 inns ODIs: 18 100s in 62 inns#IndvAus — Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 5, 2019 After 224 ODIs - Sachin Tendulkar - 8350 runs, ave 42.6, SR 86.45, 23 hundreds, 44 fifties Virat Kohli - 10686* runs, ave 60.03, SR 92.61, 40 hundreds, 49 fifties. It isn't even close for the best ODI batsman ever any more. Kohli wins hands down. — Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 5, 2019<doc-sep>Virat Kohli amassed his 40th one-day international century but it was Vijay Shankar’s part-time seam bowling that helped India to a tense eight-run victory over Australia in Nagpur. In a fluctuating second ODI that provided a nail-biting climax, Kohli, the India captain, turned to Shankar’s medium pacers for the final over because his more senior bowlers had completed their allocations. Defending 11 runs and with Marcus Stoinis on strike Shankar struck first ball, pinning the big-hitting Australian in front for 52 for his first ODI wicket. His second scalp followed two balls later when last man Adam Zampa was bowled as Australia were all out for 242 from 49.3 overs, leaving their hosts to celebrate taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Kohli underpinned India’s total of 250 all out with a sublime 116 from 120 balls – after losing the toss – to move to within nine hundreds of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record in ODIs. Kohli’s resistance was eventually ended when he holed out to deep square-leg off Pat Cummins, who was the pick of Australia’s bowlers with four for 29, while Shankar contributed an enterprising 46 from 41 balls. Australia seemed to be coasting at 122 for two just before the halfway stage of their reply but lost wickets at critical junctures. The left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed three for 54 while Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets and conceded only 29 runs from his 10 overs before Shankar sealed the victory.<doc-sep>
India captain, Virat Kohli, on Tuesday scored his 40th ODI hundred as the batting epitome mastered the innings for India despite struggling batting show in the ongoing second match against Australia at Nagpur. He reached his hundred in 44th over of the innings with a four over point region off Coulter-Nile's bowling. India, earlier, lost the toss and Australians put them to bat first. Making most of the new ball, Pat Cummins removed opener, Rohit Sharma for a duck in the very first over. Pertinently, the hosts kept losing wickets from one end while Kohli made sure to keep the runs coming from the other side. Dhawan had a one more disappointing day, departing for 21 runs while Rayudu also made paltry 17. The right-handed batsman formed a brilliant 91-run stand with Vijay Shankar for the sixth wicket. However, Shankar, after playing a dazzling 46 runs knock, lost his wicket in a bizarre way as he sacrificed his wicket for Virat. Meanwhile, Adam Zampa made the things even disastrous for India by taking two in two, hence putting them to back foot at 171-6. He removed Jadhav and MS Dhoni in consecutive deliveries. It was Ravindra Jadeja who gave some support to Kohli. He also formed a crucial partnership of 67 runs, amid which Virat reached his 40th ODI ton and hence took India to 250 runs total. The Delhi-born cricketer is now just 9 centuries away to catch the Sachin Tendulkar who holds the record of most ODI hundreds. Meanwhile, Twitterati lauded Virat for his yet another fabulous knock. From cricketers to pundits, everyone came with a bucket of praises for the modern-day cricket legend who is well on his way to cement himself as perhaps the best of all time. Here are some of the top Tweets: I mean he is only 9 ODI tons away from Sachin. ONLY EFFING NINE! Take a bow, tie, suit everything - @imVkohli — Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 5, 2019 Top innings. Another day at work. Century for Virat Kohli. 40 in 224 innings is an unreal stat. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2019 Barring handy support from Vijay Shankar, this has been a stupendous one-man show by @imVkohli. India could conceivably get to 300!if he bats till the end which would be extremely daunting for Aus batting second — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 5, 2019 Virat Kohli will have 50 ODI hundreds by year end. #INDvAUS — Jamie Alter (@alter_jamie) March 5, 2019 Well Played Virat 116(120)🙌 When no1 stood there for long, he once again performed and helped India get a respectable total😇 When he got out, his face says it all. He still wanted to score runs🙂 Very Well Played @imVkohli 👏🙏🇮🇳#INDvAUS #AUSvIND — Aparna🇮🇳 (@imAPramanik) March 5, 2019 Well played @imVkohli 👏👏 40th 💯 in ODIs 65th in International cricket 18th as captain in ODIs 36th as captain in International 7th against Australia ODI#INDvAUS #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/YSZCXNQpyN — RocKy Edward..💔🇮🇳🏏 (@imRockylahariya) March 5, 2019 Nailed it yet again! Congratulations @imVkohli This is Kohli's 40th Century in ODI you truly are a motivation love you virat❤#AUSvIND#ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/CKHn7hu623 — ❤Ҡıٳٳɛř ŋơơřıŋ Ҡɧąŋ ❤ (@NoorinKhan15) March 5, 2019 When people ask me How many times Kohli is a better ODI PLAYER than Sachin?pic.twitter.com/HrGWGRr1MR — Freak (@strangerrr_18) March 5, 2019 I mean, Kohli's last 10 hundreds came in his last 25 innings. That is just ridiculous. Otherworldly. — Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 5, 2019 Sources: Virat Kohli looking to break Sachin's ODI record by early 2020. — Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 5, 2019