Top 5 ODI hundreds scored by Indian batsmen in Australia

2. Sachin Tendulkar 117 not out in Sydney in March 2008; India won by 6 wickets

Sachin Tendulkar has made 100 international centuries but critics still often accused him of not playing big knocks on big occasions, like say against a big-time in a big final. The maestro decided to silence his critics during India’s 2007-08 tour of Australia when MS Dhoni’s side made the finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Tendulkar returned empty-handed in two previous finals against the Aussies — once in the final of the World Cup in South Africa in 2003 and secondly in the final of the VB Series Down Under in 2004. He chose to turn the tables around on the third occasion.

The two teams met in Sydney for the first final, which was a day-night affair. Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. The hosts had a poor start with three down for 24 and it was Matthew Hayden’s 82 off 88, Michael Hussey’s 45 off 67, Andrew Symonds’ 31 off 44 and Brett Lee’s 17 off 10 towards the end that helped the Australians to put up a total of 239 for the loss of eight wickets. Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh took two wickets each. India came up with a solid start with Robin Uthappa (17) putting up 50 runs with Tendulkar in less than 11 overs.

The visitors then saw a slight collapse in the middle order but the Master Blaster slammed 117 not out in 120 balls to ensure that the game never slipped out of his team’s hand. Rohit Sharma, who was still in the early days of his career, made a well-crafted 66 at No.5 in 87 balls to add 123 runs with his senior partner in 22.4 overs to pave the way for an easy win. Dhoni came out to finish off the formalities but it was the vintage Tendulkar whose knock studded with 10 fours that won all the acclaim on the day as India went up 1-0 in the best-of-three finals to eventually win the trophy. It was the man’s 42nd ton in the ODIs and last in Australia but one that will remain right up there for millions to remember.