The clash to establish the supremacy in the cricketing arena continues as India lost by three runs in fifth ODI of the Hero Honda Cup in Hyderabad.

An immaculate performance of 175 runs off just 141 balls honoured the greatest batsmen India, or the world has ever seen. Sachin became the first batsmen to score more than 17000 runs runs in ODI. 

Sachins innings altered many ecisting records. Sachin completed his 6000 runs on the Indian soil with poise, showing off his immoderatre calibre. He rushed past his 92nd fifty to reach his 45th ODI hundred; the ninth versus the Aussies.  This was also his fastest century against the Aussies.

With an exception to Raina, the middle order failed to click and collapsed under the attack by Punter's men. 

The match in no words, was one of the most thrilling matches India has played recently. The high matches, lost catches and desperate measures to hit the proper line and length, induced the spectators with enough adrenalin to feel the heat Dhoni's men would have been facing. 

Yet, the impeccable performance by the Aussies stroked them to a thrilling victory that would be appreciated by the cricketing fans all over the globe. India was on its way to claim a stimulating win; the turning point came when debutant McKay succeeded in dismissing Sachin, who has been single-handedly maneuvering an Indian win on this soil.Watson did his bit by getting Raina and Harbajjan out in quick sessions. 

The Australian innings

Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. The Aussies began with a steady start as the openers piled up runs on the board, before opening their aggressive tactics. The Aussies posted a total of 350 runs with the loss of four wickets in fifty overs. 

Watson and Marsh stuck to the crease till the 25 overs, building a partnership of 145 runs. Marsh rode his way to century with ten boundaries.He scored 112 runs, while Watson contributed 93 run to the tall, with three huge sixes. 

Ponting and White continued the run marathon, and at one point made the spectators feel that they would witness the highiest score in an ODI series. However, Indian bowlers came back in form and managed to reduce the damage, restricting the Aussies to 350.

For India, Harbhajjan was economical, whereas, Praveen took charge as the demolition man. 

India and Australia were levelled in the series with two wins in each's kitty. With this match, the Aussies have inched ahead of the Indians, ensuring the top spot. India will have to wait for the next ODI to reclaim the dream of winning the top spot, pushing Aussies to the second spot. At the same time, the injury plagued Australian will have to beat India in the coming matches to ensure that they earn a few points to secure their top spot.

The Australian side had made three changes owing to their bad stint with injury. McKay, who's was his debute match, replaced Mitchell Johnson, Adam Voges came in for the injured Moises Henriques and Bill Hilfenhaus for the injured Peter Siddle.

For the Indian side, Munaf and Gambhir make and comeback. Gambhir played at the number three slot, but failed to click. Munaf had last played an ODI for India in March. Munaf had replaced Ishant Sharma, who has been having trouble sticking to line and length. He was thrashed by the Oz, beating his confidence to a new low.

Now Dhoni and his men will have to prepare for a do or die situation.

 

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