Destructive Dhoni helps India level series

First, he consolidated the innings with Gautam Gambhir. Then, in tandem with Suresh Raina, he tore the bowling apart. MS Dhoni's superb 107-ball 124, his first century against Australia, was the foundation for India's highest-ever total against Australia, a mammoth 354 for 7. Ricky Ponting's decision to bowl first in view of the dew factor didn't look too clever on a day when Dhoni appeared to rediscover his big-hitting mojo.

When Gambhir departed withe score on 216 for 4, the stage was set for a final onslaught, but few could have predicted how devastating it would be. The first five overs of the Dhoni's partnership with Suresh Raina produced just 22 runs, but from the moment Dhoni slugged Siddle though cover to end the first over of the Powerplay, the wheels came off for Australia.

Eighteen came off one Mitchell Johnson over with Dhoni slapping one straight down the ground. Ben Hilfenhaus's return to the fray was greeted with an astonishing flat six over midwicket and two mighty wallops over long-off from the hapless Shane Watson took Dhoni to his century from just 94 balls. The Indian captain was simply unstoppable as he finished on 124 off 107 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes en route.