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Indian 'legend' leaves cricket fans in a spin

Indian veteran MS Dhoni’s match-winning heroics have sent fans into a spin and overshadowed captain Virat Kohli’s superb century against Australia.

The Aussies would have been confident of sealing a drought-breaking ODI series win after Shaun Marsh’s own ton saw them reach 9-298 in their innings.

However, a blistering 104 (off 112 balls) from the Indian skipper put Kohli’s side in the box seat, before Dhoni did what he does best.

The Indian veteran’s place in the side has been the subject of much conjecture back home, with many Indian fans preferring the younger Test keeper Rishabh Pant.

However, 37-year-old Dhoni reminded everyone why he is regarded as one of the greatest limited overs finishers the game has ever seen.

Dhoni’s composed knock of 55 not out (off 54 balls) contained to sixes and no fours.

One of those maximums came in the final over – effectively sealing the match and sending fans into raptures on social media.

Chasing 299 runs to win on Tuesday at Adelaide Oval, Kohli struck a sublime 104 from 112 deliveries as India reached their target with four balls remaining.

The Indians eclipsed Australia’s 9-298 highlighted by Shaun Marsh’s 131 from 123 balls in temperatures peaking at more than 42 degrees.

Australia’s concerns grew over captain Aaron Finch’s form slump: he made just six and was bowled for the fifth time in his past eight ODI knocks before Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (48 from 37 balls) boosted Australia’s total.

Kohli then produced yet another gem after a fast start from openers Rohit Sharma (43 from 52 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (32 from 28).

India’s skipper is now 10 tons shy of compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s world record for most ODI centuries – Tendulkar made 49 in 463 ODIs while Kohli has played 218.

After Kohli’s dismissal in the 44th over left India needing 55 from the last six overs, his captaincy predecessor Dhoni nervelessly steered the tourists to their target.

India required seven to win from the final over from Jason Behrendorff and Dohni smacked the first ball for six over long-on and then pinched a single off the next.

Dhoni’s finishing prowess left the cricket world in awe. Pic: Getty
Dhoni’s finishing prowess left the cricket world in awe. Pic: Getty

Earlier, Australians Marsh and Maxwell – again batting at No.7 and arriving at the crease in the 38th over – put on 94 runs from 65 balls.

Marsh’ now has seven ODI centuries – and four of the past five by Australians.

A batch of batsmen – Alex Carey (18), Usman Khawaja (21), Peter Handscomb (20) and Marcus Stoinis (29) – failed to cash in.

And Finch’s torrid summer continued when he aimed a big drive at a Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4-45) delivery but edged onto his stumps.

Finch was axed from Australia’s Test team after making 97 runs at an average of 16.16 in the first three Tests in the just-completed series against India.

Finch was also bowled for six by Kumar in the series-opener last Saturday and struggled as well in the ODI series last November against South Africa, making 57 runs at an average of 19 in the three matches.

With AAP