Five memorable ODI hundreds from Indians in unsuccessful run chases

Cricket is a team game that demands a collective effort to emerge as victorious in it. Individual brilliance can hold the chances for a team to some extent but eventually fails to see through the finishing line, more often than not.

The latest example of the above-mentioned phrase occurs in the first ODI of three-match series, being played between India and Australia.

Chasing the target of 289, set by Australia, Rohit Sharma found no ally in the pursuit of the total, and India fell short by 34 runs. Rohit Sharma scored a magnificent 133 runs that was more than 50% of the total runs scored in Indian innings.

As of now, Indian batsmen have scored 19 hundreds in losing cause when they were chasing any target in ODI cricket.

Let's have a look at the five most memorable hundreds by Indians when victory eluded the team in the want of back up from other batsmen.

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#5 Rohit Sharma: 150 vs South Africa, 2015

Rohit Sharma smashed South Africa's pace attack to all corners

When South Africa toured India in 2015, they had won the opening T20I series by 2-0. It was first match of the five-match ODI series. At Kanpur, Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and posted 303 runs on the board. Head contributors being AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis with 104* and 62 runs respectively.

Chasing the target, India was cruising through at on point of time. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane added 149 for the second wicket, but brittle middle order failed to avail of the opportunity.

When Rohit Sharma got out after scoring a brilliant 150, India needed just 35 runs off 23 balls with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina on the crease. Kagiso Rabada saved 11 runs against Dhoni in the final over and India fell short by 5 runs. An excellent hundred by Rohit went in vain.

#4 Gautam Gambhir: 113 vs Australia, 2008

It was the triangular contest in the year 2008, being played among India, Australia and Sri Lanka which was won by India eventually. In the 10th match of the tournament, at Sydney, Australia won the toss and decided to bat first.

Ricky Ponting scored a marvelous 124 while Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds helped the cause with 54 and 59 respectively. Australia posted 317 runs on the board.

It was Gambhir's second hundred of the tournament

Chasing the target, at one stage, India were reeling at just 51 for the lose of 4 wickets. From there on, Gautam Gambhir took up the job with the help of MS Dhoni and Robin Uthappa, but could not get India through, and India lost the match by 18 runs. Gambhir scored an astounding 113 off 119 balls, while Dhoni and Uthappa contributed 36 and 51 respectively.

If Gambhir had had some support from top order that consisted of big names like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, this knock from him would have been a memorable one.

#3 Virat Kohli: 123 vs New Zealand, 2014

The instance belongs to the India tour of New Zealand in 2014. It was the first match of the five-match ODI series. After winning the toss, Indian captain MS Dhoni opted for field first. New Zealand, riding on half-centuries from Kane Williamson (71), Ross Taylor (55) and Corey Anderson(71*), scored 292/7 in designated overs.

New Zealand v India

Chasing the target, India lost wickets on regular intervals, but Virat Kohli held on one end. He found an ally in Captain Dhoni, and both added crucial 95 runs for the fifth wicket. At one stage, India was in good position to chase the target down with score reading 224/5 in 42.2 overs, but from here, India lost wickets in a cluster.

India got all-out for 268 to fall short by 24 runs. Virat Kohli got out as 7th wicket in 45th over, but not before scoring a flawless 123 off 111 balls.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar: 175 vs Australia, 2009

Australia toured India for seven-match ODI series in 2009. It was the fifth match of the series; both teams had won two each out of the first four games. At Hyderabad, winning the toss, Australia came to bat first and posted a mammoth 350/4 in 50 overs. Shaun Marsh shone with a sparkling 112 in as many balls. Shane Watson and Cameron White chipped in with 93 and 57 respectively.

Sachin Tendulkar spell bounded Hyderabad crowd with a masterpiece

India had a stern test to clear, and an opening partnership was just as needed with Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag adding 66 runs in less than 9 overs. Some quick wickets and India were in trouble with 162 for the loss of four important wickets.

From there, Tendulkar added 137 runs with Suresh Raina. India was looking well set to chase the target down, but it could not happen.

When Sachin got out as the 7th wicket, India just needed 19 runs off 17 balls with Ravindra Jadeja on the crease. Eventually, India lost the match by 3 runs, and an astonishing effort from Little Master was left unaccomplished.

#1 Yusuf Pathan: 105 vs South Africa, 2011

India toured South Africa for a full tour in 2010-11. India drew test series and won the T20I series on this tour. This was fifth and decider game of the five-match series, with both teams, having won two matches each.

In a rain-curtailed game, India decided to field first after winning the toss. South Africa scored 250/9 in designated 46 overs with a century from Hashim Amla who scored 116 off 132 balls. Morne van Wyk helped the cause with 56 off 63.

South African pacers had no answer to Pathan's onslaught

Chasing the target, India was never looking to chase it until Yusuf Pathan produced a masterclass. At one stage India had lost 8 wickets for just 119 runs on the board. From there, Pathan played a blinder against the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Pathan scored a breath-taking 105 off just 70 balls with the help of 8 fours and as many sixes. He added 100 runs with Zaheer Khan for the 9th wicket.

Yusuf Pathan missed out on the final touch and got dismissed for a 70 ball 105. India fell short by 33 runs in the end. It was one praiseworthy effort from Pathan and could have turned out to be one of the very best ODI innings if India had gone on to win the match.