Bangalore: James Faulkner nearly spoilt Rohit Sharma's party as he led Asutralia's late charge against India by hitting the fastest century by an Australian but India prevailed towards the end to beat the Aussies by 57 runs and win the seven-match ODI series by 3-2 here at M Chinnaswamy Satdium on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma played an innings of lifetime as he became only the third cricketer (all Indians) including Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to score a double century in ODI cricket. Sharma's 209 took India to a massive 383 for 6 in 50 overs.
Chasing a mammoth target, Australia were derailed initially, as they lost four wickets,including Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, George Bailey and Brad Haddin, for 74, but Glenn Maxwell's 22-ball 60 follwoed by Shane Watson's 22-ball 49 kept them in hunt as they chased with a run-rate well within control. However when they lost Watson followed by Coulter-Nile for 211, it remained a difficult task for the Aussies to win the match with just two wickets remaining.
However James Faulkner made a spirited blasting a 73-ball 116, the fastest century by an Australian in ODIs. Faulkner hit 11 fours and six over-boundaries. Faulkner played a blinder as Australia made a dramatic recovery to give their chase respectability. He was involved in a record ninth wicket stand of 115 runs with Clint McKay.
Earlier, enroute his 158-ball-209, Rohit created a world record by hitting as many as 16 sixes along with 12 fours. His effort bettered Shane Watson's previous best of 15 maximums against Bangladesh.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (62) and Shikhar Dhawan (60) scored brisk half-centuries. This was also the highest individual ODI score by any batsman against Australia in ODIs as well as being India's highest team total against the visitors. The last five overs produced an unbelievable 101 runs.
This is the first instance when India have won a seven-match ODI series against the Aussies.
