Megastars Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit have been IPL's driving force in the past 15 seasons, getting the cricket crazy Indian fans hooked on the event for nearly two months every year
India are four rating points ahead of Australia in the Test rankings and a win in the second Test, starting Friday, will aid their push for entering second consecutive World Test Championship Final
Sharma, who started the day on 56, waged a grim battle against a strong Australian bowling side, reaching his 100 off 171 balls, hitting 14 fours and two sixes.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first against New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium
"In terms of Ishan, yeah, he will be batting middle order. I'm glad he could get a run here after that fine knock in Bangladesh," Rohit said in the pre-game press conference before the first ODI against New Zealand.
Playing with a heavily bandaged left thumb, the gallant half-century from the Indian captain could not save India from a consecutive ODI series defeat in Bangladesh