Shikhar Dhawan scores 2nd consecutive fifty as India look to post a formidable total

Shikhar Dhawan once again made his bat do talking as he scored his second consecutive half-century against Australia at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday. He had scored a 91-ball 74 in previous game in Mumbai and was top-scorer for India. 

Dhawan started off well after Men In Blue were once again asked to bat by Australian skipper Aaron Finch. Both Dhawan and Rohit Sharma added 81 runs for opening wicket before Sharma was trapped plumb in front of wicket by Adam Zampa for 42. southpaw n continued to keep scoreboard ticking along with skipper Virat Kohli as duo added more than 50 runs for second-wicket stand as opener registered his 29th half-century in 50-overs format. 

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A must-win match for India

India who had suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss in Mumbai will need to win this one in order to stay alive in series. Skipper Kohli would be hoping to get better of leg-spinner Adam Zampa who has had his number in One Day Internationals on four occasions. Indian bowlers would also be hoping to rediscover ir rhythm after failing miserably in previous game. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of this contest due to a concussion and KS Bharat has been roped in as his replacement. 

If Australia man to win this one n y would seal two-match series and final match on Sunday will be a dead-rubber. five-time world champions had beaten Men In Blue 3-2 after having lost first two games in March last year. 

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(Im Courtesy: BCCI Twitter)