Manish Pandey: Karnataka batsman says he wanted to capitalise on opportunity of batting at No. 4

New Delhi: Manish Pandey on Saturday helped India salvaged some pride, helping the tourists to a consolation win in the five-match One-Day International series in Australia.

The 26-year-old batted with flair at the imposing Sydney Cricket ground, where India had won only one match in their previous 15 outings, to post his maiden ODI century.

After the match, man-of-the-match Pandey said, "Batting No. 4 is one of the chances I got because Ajju [Ajinkya Rahane] was injured, and I wanted to capitalise, especially on these wickets, with 300 scored in every match. Always nice to have Indian people in the stadium, it's a big boost to us."

Coming into bat after the fall Virat Kohli in the 21st over, with India at 123/2, the Nainital-born batsman took some caution before going full throttle, chasing Australia's 330.

His blistering 104-run knock off 81-ball included eight boundaries and a six.

Showing exemplary application, the Karnataka batsman first posted a 97-run third-wicket partnership with Rohit Sharma, before producing a 94-run fourth-wicket partnership with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

A veteran of 75 First-class matches, Pandey has now 181 ODI runs from three innings. He made his debut July last year against Zimbabwe at Harare.

India won the match by India won by 6 wickets, with two balls remaining. Australia won the series 4-1, and the two team will gather for a three-match Twenty20 International series, starting Tuesday.