India vs Australia, 2nd ODI at Melbourne: Pick of the tweets

India got off to a shaky start after losing Shikhar Dhawan (2) early in the innings in the second One-Day International (ODI) between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, then stabilised the Indian innings, before Rahane (12) became the debutant Gurinder Sandhu’s maiden wicket.

India’s wonder boy Virat Kohli (9) mistimed a short delivery from Australian all-rounder James Faulkner to give away his wicket as captain George Bailey took a simple catch at mid-on.

Rohit reached his 6th ODI century, third against Australia and the second Indian to score a century in an ODI at the MCG (after Sourav Ganguly in 2000) as MS Dhoni joined him in the middle after Suresh Raina was dismissed off Mitchell Starc just after hitting his 33rd half-century.

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

With six wickets under his belt, Starc recorded his career-best figures (six for 43) as India set Australia 268 as target in 50 overs.

Earlier, Indian captain Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat in the second match of the tri- series against Australia. India did not field Ishant Sharma while Axar Patel came in place of Ravindra Jadeja.

In the Australian squad, Sandhu replaced Xavier Doherty, becoming the first man of Indian origin to represent the hosts.

Indns way ahead o OZ in ODI’s experience but in final analysis what counts is ‘josh & hosh’,a tad short supply in Dhawan as of now…!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) January 18, 2015

50 yrs ago at Kolkata, Valsad born Rex Sellers made Test debut 4 Aus Today an Aus born Indian make ODI debut 4 Aus #GurinderSandhu #AusvInd — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

The last time India played Australia in an ODI was at Bangalore on 2-11-2013. Rohit Sharma made 209 & Shikhar Dhawan 60 #AusvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

Mitchell Starc’s opening over wickets this tri series v England: 1st and 3rd ball v India : 5th ball #AusvInd — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

I think Rahane at no 3 is part of the process of finding out what the best opening combination is.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2015

Early wickets have been the key for Australia so far this series.Puts pressure on the middle order. @StarSportsIndia @CricketAus #Starsport — Damien Martyn (@dmartyn30) January 18, 2015

“@RicFinlay: GSandhu (21 years, 218 days) youngest Aus ODI debutant since Pat Cummins,16 players and over 3 years ago.” #GoSandhu #AusvsInd

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) January 18, 2015

Things guaranteed in life Death, Taxes and @mstarc56 getting a wicket in his first over with the white kookaburra #MitchMotorway #AUSvIND — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) January 18, 2015

Virat Kohli…. last seven ODI inns 62, 127, 22, 49, 53, 66, 139*… #AusvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

.@gurinder_19 celebrates his first ODI wicket! Kohli joins Rohit out in the middle: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XhTHGPvgqU — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

Sandhuuuuuuu first One day wicket gets Rahanes knicking #SnickStreet Ind 2/33 #AUSvIND

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) January 18, 2015

Since 2011 Australia have fielded 3 players with Pakistan (UKhawaja), Sri Lanka (AAgar) & now India (Gurinder Sandhu) connections! #AusvInd — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

Today in 2000 at the Centurion Park for the only time in Test cricket history two teams, England & then South Africa forfeited their innings

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

No worries for the skipper there. Kohli’s dismissal brings Raina to the crease #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LRcM82Mnsy — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

Suresh Raina last few inngs in ODIs: 62, 71, 52, 14, 18*, 11 in T20Is: 19, 35*, 1*, 6, 21, 25 in Tests: 0, 0, 3, 55, 0, 0, 0 #AusvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

What a difference a different format makes: Tests were a struggle for @ImRo45 and @ImRaina; in their elements in the 50-over game — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 18, 2015

Some words being exchanged out in the middle! #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/RJivTkLvv4

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

LIVE 3/122 | Don’t miss any of the action of the ODI Tri-Series! #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/8yUmyAnaA6 — Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

LIVE 3/130 | Sharma 69*, Raina 28*. “This game is set up beautifully.” – Brayshaw. 23 overs to go. #AUSvIND #WWOS

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

Raina (43*) and Rohit (77*) getting a move on at the @MCG with India 3-153 after 30: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1FUnMzr5LT — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

Has Mitchell Starc been taking tutorials from @wasimakramlive I wonder. Good pace, fine control, late swing.Looking dangerous every delivery

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 18, 2015

Rohit Sharma most 100 +stands in ODIs with V Kohli (7) S Dhawan (6) MS Dhoni (2) S Raina (2) #AusvInd — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

This is a fine innings so far from Rohit Sharma. Doesn’t matter what others think, he is making a case for himself at the top of the order.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2015

FIFTY! Raina works a single off Starc and that’s his half-century from 61 balls. Important knock for India: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

LIVE 4/185 | “Mitchell Starc does it again!” – Hussey. Raina OUT for 51 (c Maxwell, b Starc). #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/1xKQEcFHiP

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

Important breakthrough for Australia. Now Dhoni joins Rohit (98*) out in the middle: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/MQcUsSchgf

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

Rohit Sharma 6th ODI 100 3rd vs Aus (in last 6 inngs!) 1st in Aus 3rd away 100 3rd under MSD #AusvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 18, 2015

Rohit Sharma is just the second Indian to score a century in an ODI at the @MCG (after Sourav Ganguly in 2000).#AUSvIND

— Melbourne Cricket Gd (@MCG) January 18, 2015

This is a classy century from Rohit Sharma. Well composed too.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2015

Highest scores in an @MCG ODI: 173 M.Waugh (2001) 161* S.Watson (2011) 154 A.Gilchrist (1999) 153* V.Richards (1979) 138 R.Sharma (2015)

— Melbourne Cricket Gd (@MCG) January 18, 2015

LIVE 5/237 | “Mitchell Starc gets another important wicket for Australia!” – Taylor. Dhoni OUT for 19. #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/Eo6RwujUIE

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

LIVE 6/237 | “Starc’s got four!” – Taylor. Another wicket with Patel OUT for a duck! #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/9c1UHl3B5z

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 18, 2015

Starc’s been brilliant. Double blow brings Aus strongly back into game. Rohit must bat thru for India to make around 275 to be competitive..

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 18, 2015

Awesome work from @mstarc56! He finishes with 6-43 from his 10 overs. LIVE: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/t1RX3tfI4I

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015

Best bowling in an @MCG ODI: 6/42 A.Agarkar (2004) 6/43 M.Starc (2015) 5/17 C.Ambrose (1988) 5/21 W.Akram (1985) 5/24 M.Waugh (1992)

— Melbourne Cricket Gd (@MCG) January 18, 2015

In both their games Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding. Swings new ball at pace, bowls a top yorker.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2015

India finish with 8-267 from their 50 overs, will it be enough? Scorecard: https://t.co/zwCnM6zdDF #AUSvIND

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 18, 2015