Sharma makes 171, India posts 309-3 in 1st ODI vs. Australia

Smith-Bailey produced a splendid 242-run partnership for the third wicket before Bailey was dismissed in the 42nd over to reduce the hosts at 263/3.

Australia (127 points) lead second-ranked India (114) by 13 points and even if they lose all five matches of the series, Australia will drop points but will still finish a point ahead of India.

Sran looked to have had a third wicket in the very next ball, with George Bailey appearing to glove one through to Dhoni on his first delivery.

India vs Australia has always been a contest with lots of runs, wickets and a bit of that we-don’t-really-like-you-so-let’s-crank-the-intensity-a-couple-of-notches. Now what it will do is fuel the DRS debate once again.

Kohli secured his first 50 in an ODI against Australia in Australia and he fell nine runs short of a century when he was well caught by Finch off James Faulkner. He, along with Smith, went on to rebuild the Aussie innings cautiously but keep the scorecard ticking.

But then Steven Smith and Geroge Bailey chose to teach the Indian bowlers a lesson and started going after them. Rohit is just six runs away from half-century.

On one of the flattest WACA tracks in recent times, India scored a commanding 309 for three courtesy Rohit’s brilliant strokeplay but the target seemed insufficient against the hosts, who relied on centuries by Smith and George Bailey (112) to overhaul the target in 49.2 overs.

Rohit’s knock was the best by an Indian while vice-captain Virat Kohli (91, 97b, 9×4, 1×6) also impressed and the duo added 207 runs for the second wicket.

Sharma and Kohli were quite confident in their approach and brought up the 50-run stand in 63 balls. India’s tour of Australia commenced today with the first one-day worldwide match at WACA Ground in Perth.

In the seven previous bilateral ODI series between the two countries – all of which have been played in India – Australia holds a narrow advantage, with four wins to India’s three, although the latter has won the last two in 2010 and 2013.

Pandey or Mann could take up the position vacated by Suresh Raina, but there is the possibility of MS Dhoni moving up the order and asking a debutant to bat lower down.

Rohit crossed the 150-mark off 155 balls, and in doing so, notched up 1000 ODI runs against Australia in 19 innings, one less than Sachin Tendulkar.

The visiting team will need to win at least a game in the series to retain their current second position in the ICC ODI Team Championships.