India beat Australia in 5th ODI to end series on winning note

Nagpur Oct 1 (IANS) Rohit Sharma struck a century as India beat Australia by seven wickets in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground here on Sunday to end the five-match series on a winning note.

India have thus won the series 4-1. The victory also helped India regain the top spot in the ODI rankings pushing South Africa to the second position. Australia remain third.

Chasing a modest target of 243 runs India crossed the line with 43 balls still to go.

Sharma and fellow opener Ajinkya Rahane put on a 124-run partnership in 22.3 overs which virtually sealed the match in India s favour.

Sharma plundered 125 runs off 109 balls with hios knock featuring 11 impressive boundaries and five hits over the fence.

Rahane played a steady knock of 61 runs off 74 balls which included seven boundaries.

Earlier the Indian bowlers put in a disciplined performance to restrict the visitors to 242/9.

In-form opener David Warner was the highest scorer for Australia with 53 runs off 62 balls.

--IANS
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