Continuing their batting onslaught in the second match of the three-match series between India and Australia on Sunday, star openers David Warner and Aaron Finch picked up where they left off by recording another 100-run partnership against the Virat Kohli-led side at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The three-match One Day International rubber is on the line as the Kohli-led side is fighting for survival in the penultimate clash against Finch and Co. after a heavy defeat in the series opener.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first in the 2nd ODI, Australia made a promising start as openers Finch and Warner took the potent Indian bowling attack to the cleaners. It took only 16 overs for the Aussie openers to zoom past the 100-run mark for the first wicket. With another 100-run stand in white-ball cricket, the established opening pair of Finch and Warner has scripted history in the 50-overs format.
The formidable batting pair of Finch and Warner equalled the partnership record set by legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag during the 2nd ODI between the two cricketing superpowers. Regarded as one of the most successful opening pairs in white-ball cricket, Tendulkar and Sehwag had managed to register a 100-run partnership for the first wicket on 12 separate occasions in ODIs. The elite list has been dominated by Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly who eclipsed the 100-run mark a staggering 21 times in the 50-over format.
Warner came close to notching up a memorable century against India as the Aussie southpaw scored a sublime 83 off 77 balls. Australian skipper Finch slammed a patient 69-ball 60 in the 2nd ODI against the Kohli-led side. Hosts Australia are currently leading the three-match series 1-0.
