India Wins India-Australia ODI Cricket Series 2013, Rohit Sharma Scores Double Hundred

India not only defeated the Australians in the India-Australia cricket series 2013 but also retained the world number 1 rank in ODI format of the Cricket. This match was virtual final for the Star Sports Cricket series as the series was well balanced at 2-2. In the earlier matches India chased the score of 350 and 360 quite comfortably while India batting star Virat Kohli broke the India record of fastest ODI ton made by Virendra Sehwag also. Rohit Sharma scored career best 209 runs in this match and became only third cricketer to score double hundred along with Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag.

Indian Cricket Team with Star Sports Cricket Trophy 2013

Australia picked up Nathan Coulter-Nile in place of inform Mitchell Johnson as the later had to leave for Australia while India brought in pacer Vinay kumar in place of leg spinner Amit Mishra in the squad for the 7^th and final ODI match. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision was expected as their bowler struggled to save the score 350+ runs twice against the strong Indian batting line up on the flat India tracks.

India scored 383 runs in their allotted 50 overs at the loss of 6 wickets. Indian opening batsman Rohit Sharma was the star performer for the Indian team. Rohit Sharma scored career best 209 runs in just 158 balls hitting 16 glorious sixes along with 12 glorious fours. Rohit Sharma became only third batsman in the cricket history to score double hundred in ODI. Apart from Rohit Sharma, captain MS Dhoni scored quick 62 runs from just 38 balls while opener Shikhar Dhawan also scored 62 runs for the team.

Rohit Sharma Celebrating After Hitting the Double Century Against Australia

Chasing the record target of 384 runs Australia bundled for the score of 326 runs losing the match by 57 runs. Australian all rounder James Faulkner scored career best 116 runs but couldn’t stop the loss. Glen Maxwell scored quick 60 runs, all-rounder Shane Watson scored 49 and wicket keeper batsman Brad Haddin contributed with 40 runs but this couldn’t result a win for the team Australia. Australia lost the match by 57 runs and also the series by 3-2. James Faulkner registered his name at top of  list century scorers from the Australia.

James Faulkner After Hitting the Century

Rohit Sharma was awarded Man of the Match award for his match winning knock of 209 runs and also the Star Sports Man of the Series for his highest runs in the series. Rohit Sharma scored 491 runs and played very crucial role in the win of India in the India-Australia bilateral cricket series 2013. Rohit Sharma also broke the world record of most sixes in an inning of Shane Watson by hitting 16 sixes in the match.

Australian bowlers struggled to control the flow of runs in the last 10 overs and they gave away more than 150 runs. Man of the Match Rohit Sharma scored most of these runs as he scored his last 100 runs in just forty two balls. Indian bowlers did good job upfront but they couldn’t finish the task in the same fashion. They gave away just too many loose deliveries on the flat deck. Australia struggling at 205/8 finished the inning at the score of 326 runs.

For ODI Cricket Records :

• Indian pacer Vinay Kumar gave away 102 runs for 1 wicket in his 9 overs.
• Rohit Sharma completed 1000 runs in the calendar year. 
• Record 38 sixes were hit in this match in total out of which 16 sixes were struck only by Rohit Sharma.
• James Faulkner became fastest century scorer for Australia in ODI by hitting the century in just 57 balls hitting 11 fours and 6 sixes.