Cricket News: India vs Australia - 1st ODI - Rohit Sharma's century knock in vain as India lose opener

Opener Rohit Sharma's valiant 133-run knock went in vain as India lost the opening One-day International to Australia by 34 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. hasing a healthy 289, Rohit anchored India's innings with a breezy 129-ball 133. His 22nd ODI ton was laced with 10 fours and six sixes to overcome a sloppy start before pacer Jhye Richardson's 4/26 brought the hosts back to restrict the visitors to 254/9 at the end of 50 overs. Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (51) also came up with a defiant half-century and shared a 137-run fourth wicket stand with Rohit but eventually failed to take the men-in-blue over the line. Earlier, some fantastic middle-order batting by Australia helped them post 288/5 . After a poor beginning, the Australian middle-order stepped up when it was needed the most and four good knocks guided them to reach a good total. Usman Khawaja (59), Shaun Marsh (54), Peter Handscomb (73) and Marcus Stoinis (47 not out) starred with the bat for Australia while Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav picked two wickets each, conceding 66 and 54 runs respectively.