Dhoni's speedy century leads India to huge win

(GETTY IMAGES)

A quickfire century by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni set up India's 99-run victory over Australia yesterday in Nagpur as the home team levelled the one-day series 1-1.

Dhoni, who was the man of the match, hit 124 off 107 balls, putting on 119 for the fourth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (76) and 136 for the next with Suresh Raina (62) to propel India to 354 for 7 after they lost the toss in the day-night game.

After India compiled their highest one-day total against Australia, paceman Praveen Kumar took two early wickets including skipper Ricky Ponting for 12, as the visitors were dismissed for 255 in 48.3 overs.

Michael Hussey (53) recorded his second consecutive half-century for Australia but young left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took three for 35 to trigger a middle-order collapse.

Dhoni cracked nine fours and three sixes from an Australian attack weakened by the absence of injured pair Brett Lee and James Hopes.

He reached his fifth one-day international century with a straight six off medium-pacer Shane Watson. The third game of the seven-match series will be in Delhi on Saturday.