Australia beat India with 8 wickets to spare
India Vs Australia, 2nd ODI , Pune

Pune, March 28: Mark Waugh hit a sparkling 133 not out to see Australia home with just under five overs to spare in the second one-day international against India at Pune. In reply to India's 9-248, Australia made 2-249 in 45.1 overs to get back on level terms in the five-match series after India won the opener by 60 runs on Sunday.

The Indian hoped were raised when a brilliant piece of fielding by substitute Yuvraj Singh resulted in the run out of Darren Lehmann three overs later. Yuvraj made a diving stop to a cover-drive by Lehmann and threw straight to wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya with both batsmen stranded in the middle.

Lehmann walked back to the pavillion but the Indians insisted Mark Waugh, batting on 95, was out as the batsmen had crossed over while running. However, the third umpire ruled in favour of Waugh who went on to complete his 18th one-day century.

Mark Waugh was on 94 at that point.

Waugh went on to bring up his 18th one-day century in 102 balls, with 13 boundaries and finished 19 fours and a six as he made his 133 off 138 balls.

Australia made a great start to its chase, with Waugh and Matthew Hayden (57 of 81 balls) adding 143 for the first wicket, which didn't fall until Australia was more than halfway through its overs.

Hayden, who was a little scratchy, fell having a heave at Zaheer Khan and was caught by Ganguly. But at that point the Aussies needed only another 106 runs from the remaining 24 overs and were cruising.

While Waugh finished on 133 not out, Michael Bevan, who hit the winning boundary, was unbeaten on 33.

The teams now head to Indore for the third match on Saturday.  

Badani’s century help India reach 248/9 in their 50 overs

Pune, March 28: Hemant Badani slammed an impressive century in 98 balls taking India to 248/9 in their 50 overs. Badani’s century came from 98 balls after India collapsed from 3/153 to 6/162. He along with VVS Laxman (51 off 86) produced the innings' longest partnership, putting on 93 for the fourth wicket.

The Indian innings was marked by three crucial run-outs, Laxman being involved in tow of them and finally being run-out himself.

Electing to bat, Sachin Tendulkar got India off to a blazing start smashing Australian quickies to all parts of the ground. He pulled Glenn McGrath for six over fine leg. Tendulkar's quick-fire 32 off 29 balls came to an end when he was caught by Darren Lehman going for a big one over mid-wicket off Damien Fleming. His knock included six fours and one six.

With the team score at 29, India lost their skipper Ganguly who played on to a ball pitched outside off stump off McGrath. He scored four. Indians were in a spot of bother after their in-form batsman Rahul Dravid was run-out in a mix up with Venkatsai Laxman to leave India struggling at 60 for three.

Badani and Laxman ressurected the innings putting on 93 runs for the fourth wicket before Laxman was run out to a direct hit from Steve Waugh feilding at covers. Laxman made a useful 51 off 86 balls.

Sunil Joshi joined Badani and the duo scored their runs at a very brisk pace before Joshi was caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh running backwards to a skier.

Zaheer Khan chipped in with a quick 15 off 10 balls to take India total to around 250 mark.

Badani continued to play shots scoring more than half of his runs straight down the ground. His 98-ball century included 10 fours and two sixes.

Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Nathan Bracken, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath. 12th man: Ian Harvey.

India: Saurav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Venkatsai Laxman, Hemang Badani, Dinesh Mongia, Vijay Dahiya, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Sunil Joshi, Harbhajan Singh. 12th man: Robin Singh

India loose quick wickets after electing to bat

Pune, March 28: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat in the second one-day International against Australia here on Wednesday. Indians were 44 for two after 10 overs. Venkatsai Laxman and Rahul Dravid were at the crease unbeaten on 1 and 6, respectively.

Sachin Tendulkar got India off to a blazing start smashing Australian quickies to all parts of the ground. He pulled off Glenn McGrath for six over fine leg. Tendulkar quick-fire 32 off 29 balls came to an end when he was caught by Darren Lehman going for a big one over mid-wicket off Damien Fleming. His knock included six fours and one six.

With the team score at 29, India lost their skipper Ganguly who played on to a ball pitched outside off stump off McGrath. He scored four.

Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Nathan Bracken, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath. 12th man: Ian Harvey.

India: Saurav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Venkatsai Laxman, Hemang Badani, Dinesh Mongia, Vijay Dahiya, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Sunil Joshi, Harbhajan Singh. 12th man: Robin Singh.

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