India vs Australia 2013 mid-series review: Kohli's blitzkrieg takes the cake

The Indian tour has been a roller coaster one for the Australian team. Half tour down, and the stats are equally shared. We have seen some dazzling batting displays by the contemporary cricketers of both the teams, who have superbly taken the places vacated by Tendulkar, Ganguly, Gilchrist and Hayden. Here we look at the five best innings that have left an impact on the series. In reverse order:

5. Rohit Sharma’s 141*:

His patient and sensible knock of 141 not out in the 2nd ODI at Jaipur is at fifth place. He carried on the good form shown in recently concluded Champions League. He played a matured knock and held the inning together. He played cautiously upfront to provide his team a good start and accelerated when required. It was an equally important and well timed knock from him to steady his shaky career in the Indian jersey.

4. George Bailey’s 92 off 50 balls:

Perhaps the most modest captain of Australia, played a whirlwind inning of 92 of just 50 balls during the high scoring second ODI. With his batting the boundary ropes seemed short and ball travelled the great distance each time he connected. He literally batted India out of match till the top order trio of Indian batting team Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli came good and gave a display of renowned mighty Indian batting.

3. Yuvraj Singh’s 77:

Comeback man Yuvraj Singh displayed the power hitting in the tour opener and only T-20 match a Rajkot. His blitzkrieg inning of 77 not out helped India chase down a huge target of 202 with ease. His stay at the crease was sensational. The stylish left hander showed his old class and punished Australian bowlers to all over the park. He looked comfortable against both pace and spin.

2. MS Dhoni’s 139*:

The century by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the third ODI at Mohali was an inning of class. He bailed out India out of trouble with his batting when the team was tottering at 76 for 4 at one stage and looked to surrender meekly after the desert storm in Jaipur. His midas touch continued as he ensured a fighting total to defend till James Faulkner ruined the Indian party with a chancy knock.

1. Virat Kohli’s 100 off 52 balls:

Topping the list would be the breathtaking innings by Virat Kohli. He struck the fastest one day century by an Indian player and surpassed the swashbuckling Virender Sehwag record. His 100 of just 52 deliveries took India in a comfortable position. He made a mockery of a humongous total of 360. The towering sixes he hit went like bazooka into the stands. His inning was truly a cricket fan’s delight and connoisseur to the eye. He would top the list by some distance.