Shane Watson breaks records with 71-ball 124* against India

Sydney, Jan 31: Shane Watson, Australia's stand-in captain blasted a 71-ball 124 not out to break records against India in the third and final Twenty20 International at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.

Match report

Watson, who was named as skipper for this game in place of the injured Aaron Finch, celebrated in style by smashing the Indian bowlers at the SCG. It was an outstanding display of batting by the right-handed opening batsman.

He took full advantage of the dropped catch on 56 by Virat Kohli. Today's three-figure mark was the first for Watson in T20Is. His previous highest in the format was 81.

The 34-year-old Watson smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes. His strike rate was an excellent 174.64. With this 124-run unbeaten knock, Watson registered the highest T20I score by a captain, erasing South African Faf du Plessis' 119.

Also Watson became the first T20I centurion against India. He is also the first batsman to score a ton in all three formats against India.

It was a perfectly timed hundred by Watson, who will be up for grabs at next week's (February 6) Indian Premier League (IPL) Players Auction. His base price Rs 2 crore. (Full list of cricketers for IPL Auction)

With the series already lost 0-2, Australia are hoping to avoid a whitewash. Thanks to Watson's brilliance with the bat, they posted a mammoth 197/5 in 20 overs.

The records that Watson set

Watson registers the highest T20I score by a captain - 124 not out. Previous best - 119 by Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Watson is the first T20I skipper to score a ton on captaincy debut

Watson in the first batsman to score tons in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) against India

Watson became the first batsman to score a T20I hundred against India

Watson is the first Australian to score centuries in all three formats

Watson's 124 not out is the second highest individual score in the format. The best is 156 by Aaron Finch against England in 2013

Watson is the 2nd Australian to hit a T20I ton after Finch

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