Pakistan stage late fightback as India make 300

Kohli hits a century while Dhawan and Raina stroke fluent fifties; Sohail Khan picks five

Against Pakistan in Adelaide on Sunday, Virat Kohli accomplished what his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, couldn’t – score a hundred against Pakistan in a World Cup match. Powered by the Indian vice-captain’s 22nd one-day international hundred, India posted an imposing total of 300 against the old enemy in their opening World Cup match. Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat at a buzzing Adelaide Oval. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a sedate start, skillfully negotiating the new ball pair of Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Khan.

The 34-run opening stand was broken by Khan, dismissing Sharma for 15. Dhawan was then joined by Kohli, and the pair strung together a 129-run partnership. Dhawan was successful in keeping his natural attacking instincts at bay, digging in and scoring a 76-ball 73. Kohli, at the other end, kept the scoreboard ticking, smartly churning over the strike. Pakistan did their bit to assist him, dropping him on 3 and then on 76.

With the batting powerplay looming and India looking all set to launch an onslaught, Dhawan was run out with a smart piece of fielding by opposition skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. Kohli kept going strong after Dhawan’s exit, reaching his hundred in 118 balls – the first by an Indian against Pakistan in a World Cup encounter.

Suresh Raina also had a welcome return to form, blazing his way to 74 off 56 balls. Raina made the most of some lax Pakistani bowling between the 40-45 over mark, smashing five boundaries and three sixes. Kohli (107) and Raina were removed in quick succession, stemming the rapid flow of runs. India somewhat lost their way after the duo’s dismissal, struggling to hit push on at the end. Pakistan, thanks to Khan’s 5 for 55, pulled back things nicely at the death.

Ajinkya Rahane failed to trouble the scorers, and Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni made just 3 and 18 respectively. For Pakistan, Khan was the pick of the bowlers, getting his first five-for in limited-overs cricket. Wahab Riaz picked up the other Indian wicket.