50. 38. 104. 91. 100. 383 runs at 76.60. It was a series to remember for Usman Khawaja in India, one player who previously never really fit the bill as a modern-day ODI boundary blaster. After his first 18 ODIs for Australia, he averaged 31.27 at a 82.28 strike rate for four fifties. On Wednesday in Delhi, balls too straight or too short were fodder for the 32-year-old in the must-win series decider in Dehli as he cruised to a match-winning hundred. AUSSIES WIN: Zampa puts hosts in a spin to seal stunning win | Series victory shows Aussies can win World Cup, says Finch KOHLI FUMES: Kohli questions hosts' attitude after shock ODI series loss It was also Khawaja's third international century since he returned from knee surgery before the summer - a summer where he was repeatedly criticised for his low returns as India's Test side created history on Aussie soil. Making his comeback to the canary yellow in the three ODIs in January gave Khawaja a chance to dust off the white-clothing cobwebs and create scoring momentum. However, he happily went at his own pace in Sydney (59 runs at a strike rate of 72.83), Adelaide (21 at 91.30) and Melbourne (34 at 66.66), In India, he again set his own pace going slowly in Hyderabad (50 at 65.78) before picking it up in Nagpur (38 at 102.70). His magnificence in Ranchi (104 at 92.03), Mohali (91 at 91.91) and Delhi (100 at 94.33) were all products off a willingness to up the ante and rotate the strike, with Peter Handscomb providing the perfect foil. It was a reborn Khawaja that forced India's hand on their own turf - even his dismissal in Delhi brought something out in India skipper Virat Kohli, who knew his side was under pressure. As Khawaja found Kohli at cover, after scoring his hundred, the Indian captain pelted the ball into the turf in frustration. Having now created a headache for selectors, with Australia's World Cup squad needing to be confirmed by April 23 - and with the returns of Steve Smith and David Warner looming - Khawaja has done what he can to book his ticket to England. Performing away from home is a great sign of player confidence, whether that be on green monsters or subcontinent Bunsen burners - and Khawaja took great credence in his good form. "Man of the series in a one-day tournament in India, I wasn't even in the one-day side this time last year," he told reporters after the match. "To be here in India and winning this series, it's massive. It's always a tough place to play cricket for any Australian to come over. "You have the conditions, you have the crowds... from a personal point of view, it's really satisfying to come back into the one-day side and contribute. Even more so to get that series win, it's not easy out here." https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sportal_com_au/47/e4/usman-khawaja_xx1t6anv8d7d16gc3clwyhsms.jpg?t=2050696913&w=500&quality=80 Khawaja said there was no "magic speech" from coach Justin Langer, or captain Aaron Finch, that encouraged the turnaround when Australia went 0-2 down. Rather, Khawaja said there was a very "good vibe" in the set-up - despite Australia's losses in the first two games - and with the Ranchi win in tow, momentum took control from there. He said it was the same in the three-match tie in January, despite India winning the final two matches and the series, best suggesting Australia has great confidence heading to the World Cup. "What we're trying to do as a team, we did really well in the first couple of games without winning... we knew we were close," Khawaja said. "Those 50-50 ones we kept losing, but in Ranchi, we got that first win and it was a massive confidence boost, and we got the momentum from there. "It's why you put in the hard work. We train very hard. Everyone's putting a lot of effort into their skills... we're always trying to get better every day. "It's nice when you get rewarded; you can tick all the right boxes off the field, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the results are gonna go your way. "It's a really nice reward for a lot of hard work by the guys." However, in acknowledging his side's "huge" series win in India, Khawaja conceded his performances haven't locked down his World Cup spot. Regardless, being a key player behind Australia's renewed optimism in ODI cricket is something the elegant left-hander will hold close as he and side travel to the UAE to take on Pakistan. "I'm enjoying the wins more. It's nice to get runs, but it always hurts when you don't win, and it feels so much better when you do," he said. "There have been a lot of good all-round performances from everyone... everyone's chipped in and done their bit in the series, which is really satisfying as a group. "We've still got another five one-dayers agains Pakistan, who are also a decent side. We're not going to look too far ahead."<doc-sep>NEW DELHI: Opener Usman Khawaja struck his second century of the series to lead Australia to 272-9 in the winner-takes-all fifth one-day international against India on Wednesday. The in-form Khawaja made 100 off 106 deliveries as Australia put up a competitive total after electing to bat first at Delhi´s Feroz Shah Kotla ground. Australia were cruising at 175-1 when Indian bowlers struck back. Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three wickets while fellow paceman Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja took two each. Khawaja, who has been instrumental in Australia´s turnaround after being 0-2 down in the series, built crucial partnerships including a 99-run second-wicket stand with Peter Handscomb, who made 52. The left-handed batsman -- with scores of 50, 38, 104 and 91 in the previous matches -- paced his innings smoothly during his knock that was laced with 10 fours and two sixes. Jadeja got the first breakthrough with his left-arm spin for the hosts after getting skipper Aaron Finch bowled for 27 in the 15th over. The left-right batting pair of Khawaja and Handscomb then stood firm to lay the foundation of their team´s total. Khawaja got the second ton of his career with a single off Kuldeep Yadav as he waved the bat to an applauding Australian dressing room. But he soon lost his wicket in the next over to Kumar with a drive to cover that was safely caught by skipper Virat Kohli. Jadeja returned to get the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for one and Handscomb was caught behind off Shami as Australia slipped to 182-4. The Aussies kept losing regular wickets but Jhye Richardson played a useful cameo of 29 off 21 deliveries before being run out on the final ball of the 50th over.<doc-sep>Australian batsman Usman Khawaja’s irresistible form for Australia in India has him “locked and loaded” for a World Cup tilt. After a horrible run of form throughout the summer — where he bookmarked the season with hundreds but produced very little in between — Khawaja has burst back into form in India. Khawaja hit an incredible century in the UAE to save a Test match against Pakistan but didn’t reach triple figures again until his final innings of the season against Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval. In fact, in eight innings against India, he passed 50 just one time. Khawaja said the arrest of his brother days before the first Test against India took its toll on his form. But the poor scores saw the knives come out. Ian Chappell backed Australia to leave him out of their Ashes squad and Shane Warne was quick to pounce on his flagging World Cup chances despite a fifty in the first match of the series. “I don’t think Khawaja is the answer at the top of the order, I think D’Arcy Short is a better risk than Khawaja,” Warne said. “He’s got his bowling as well, Khawaja doesn’t offer you anything in the field either, he takes too many balls at the top of the order.” Khawaja’s ears must have been burning. Since Warne’s call before the second match, Khawaja has carved out his first two ODI centuries and a 91 to hit 383 at 76.60 in the five-match series. Having only hit 583 runs in the 21 innings before this series, it’s a stunning arrival in white-ball cricket for Khawaja. Former Australian quick Brendan Julian said Khawaja was a lock for the World Cup side after this performance. “There is no doubt he’s batting with a lot of confidence,” Julian told Fox Cricket. “He’s locked and loaded now for the World Cup. He might have been on the edge but the hundred the other day and this one now, he’s done and dusted.” Brett Lee agreed, putting him somewhere in the top order. “The thing about Khawaja is that he is batting with the right tempo now, he’s limiting the amount of dot balls that he’s taking to get off the mark,” Lee said. “He got plugged in the first couple of games, fixed it up in the last two and he looks in decent form.” Ian Healy reminded the pair that some players will have to miss out with Steve Smith and David Warner still to return, meaning selectors will have a tough time. Usman Khawaja’s form & Aaron Finch’s lack of it huge issue for selectors for World Cup. Khawaja’s best position in ODIs is opening. Averaging 50+ in 15m as opener, 24.33 in 10 at No.3. Problem is David Warner is to return, Finch is captain. Can Finch bat middle order? #INDvAUS — Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 13, 2019 Openers to score four or more fifty-plus scores against India in an ODI series: Chris Gayle, 2002 (4) Usman Khawaja, 2019* (4)#INDvAUS — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 13, 2019 He even showed some of Matthew Hayden’s bravado, charging at the world’s no. 1 ODI bowler Jasprit Bumrah early in his innings, although he only took a cheeky single. Khawaja stepping out to face Bumrah, that's confident batting. Shades of Matthew Hayden there. 41/0 after 7 ovs. Khawaha 26 no. #KotlaODI #IndvsAus — Sports Express (@Xpress_Sports) March 13, 2019 For Healy, it’s a sign Khawaja is back. “This innings was magnificent,” he told Fox Cricket. “His down the ground timing is back, and he’s been able to hit the spinners. He took it to Kuldeep (Yadav) and hit him a couple of times for six. His pull shot is his trademark and it was on show. The cover driving — I haven’t seen him cover drive the quicks as well until he got out to it. “That’s exactly what he needs and the team needs, some confidence and security at the top of the order. They just need to get Finch going.” Australia’s tour of India and Pakistan as well as the World Cup are live and on-demand on Kayo Sports. Stream from just $25 per month for two devices at once on Apple, Android and Telstra TV, for Apple and Google Android smartphones, on web browsers and via Google Chromecast Ultra devices. Click here for your free trial. Healy also praised Peter Handscomb, who was under-fire but hit a century and a fifty in the series. He said Handscomb performed his role in the Australian side well “when the spinners are on, he can look reasonably comfortable — even the Indian commentators were impressed with his intensity today”.<doc-sep>Usman Khawaja's yet another century has strengthened Australian side in the decider match against India. Meanwhile, making it difficult for the Australian selectors to decide their playing eleven for the World Cup 2019. With this ton, the left-handed batsman became the first Australian batsman to hit two centuries against India in a bilateral ODI series. This ton by Khawaja will help the Aaron Finch-led visiting side to post a respected total. After hitting his second century off 102 balls, he was immediately dismissed by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, making his score tally 383 in 5 innings. India is yet to bat and Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, is not far behind as he stands at 290 runs in 4 innings. With this new gem, the Australian batting side will have new hope for clinching the title as far as the world cup is concerned. The banned duo, Steve Smith and David Warner, will also be there to lead the team with their experience, hence making Australian team a tough competitor for everyone's favourites, England and India. The World Cup is set to begin on May 30, whereas the Australian team will start their campaign against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol.<doc-sep>
Usman Khawaja hadn't scored a single hundred in his one-day international career before landing in India for the ongoing ODI series. However, the Australia opener will leave the South Asian country with two tons and a World Cup ticket in his kitty. Khawaja also joined an elite list of players who have scored three or more 90-plus scores on the trot in ODIs in India when he scored his second ODI hundred in the fifth and final match of the five-match series in Delhi on Wednesday. Only AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli have scored four successive ninety-plus scores in the 50-over format in India. India vs Australia, 5th ODI: Live cricket score Khawaja's century at the Feroz Shah Kotla comes at a crucial stage for Australia as they are bidding to win their first ODI series since January 2017 in the ongoing deciding match. @Uz_Khawaja 100 number 2, many more to come. Don't think we've seen the best of him yet. World Cup squad becoming tough to pick due to performance rather than hope now. #INDvAUS Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) March 13, 2019 Khawaja began the ongoing series on a good note when he scored a half-century in the first ODI which Australia lost in Hyderabad. He then stepped up once again in a must-win situation in the third ODI in Ranchi, striking his maiden one-day hundred -- a 113-ball 104. Australia went on to win the game by 32 runs after posting 313 on the board. In the fourth ODI in Mohali on Sunday, Khawaja once again stepped up and scored a well-paced 91. Australia completed their highest-ever successful chase of 359 to keep the series alive until the decider. Khawaja got out just after reaching the three-figure mark but he had done the job by giving Australia a good platform to post a challenging total on what seems to be a sluggish Kotla wicket. Khawaja's 383 second-most tally for Australia in 5-match ODI series Notably, Khawaja finished with 383 runs, including two centuries and as many half-centuries, in the five-match series. The run-tally takes him to the second spot on the list of Australian batsmen with most runs in a five-match ODI series. David Warner, who is serving a ball-tampering ban, is on top of the list with 386 runs scored against South Africa in 2016. The tally is alo the second most runs for Australia in an ODI series against India. George Bailey holds the record with 478 runs he scored in 2013. Meanwhile, India have managed to seize control of the Delhi decider after the dismissal of Khawaja. Australia have lost their last three wickets, including that of a well-set Peter Handscomb (52), for just seven runs. Earlier in the day, captain Aaron Finch and Khawaja added 76 for the opening stand after Australia won the toss and opted to bat.