IND vs AUS, 2nd ODI: Steve Smith scores 2nd consecutive century against India

Australia batsman Steve Smith smashed his second consecutive ton against India in Sydney on Sunday.

The batsman followed his Friday’s 62-ball 100 with another identical one and was eventually dismissed for 104 against India on Sunday.

Five of those 11 centuries have come against India in ODI cricket. With the ton on Sunday, Smith joined an elite list of batsman with five or more tons in an India versus Australia clash.

He is only second behind former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting in the number of ton against India. Ponting has six ODI centuries against Team India.

However, Smith’s astonishing record against India can be seen by the fact that he has done this in only 20 Test matches, while Ponting hit 6 tons in 59 matches.

On Sunday, he also went past Aaron Finch, Shikhar Dhawan and VVS Laxman with the number of centuries in the India versus Australia clash. He was earlier



tied with them on 4 tons.

He now stand fifth in the elite list that is led by the India legend Sachin Tendulkar (9). He is followed by Virat Kohli (8), Rohit Sharma (8) and Ricky Ponting (6).

On Sunday, just like he did two days ago, he hit the Indian bowlers at will. No Indian bowler was able to trouble him when he was on song.

This time, unlike on Friday, he did not take much time to settle down. With Aaron Finch and David Warner once again providing a great platform for Australia to get going with a 140-run partnership at the top, Smith was in his groove almost immediately.

He got to his fifty in 38 balls and after that hit boundaries at ease. He eventually went on to hit 104 runs off 64 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes.

By the time he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya, who was bowling for the first time since September last year, Australia were cruising at 292 in just the 42nd over.