Shane Watson's maiden T20I ton powers Australia to 197 against India

After being dropped from the ODI series, Australia's stand-in captain Shane Watson has made a sensational comeback with his strokeful hundred against India to guide his side to an imposing total of 197 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on 31 January.

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The right-hander notched up his maiden T20I hundred in a mere 60 balls and remained unbeaten at 71-ball 124. Watto began attacking the Indian bowlers right from the start and struck 10 fours and six sixes in his swashbuckling innings.

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The 34-year-old became the first Australian ever to score a hundred in each of the formats of international cricket. He is also only the second Australian behind Aaron Finch and the first player ever to score a century in the shortest version of the game.

Watson, who was dropped by Virat Kohli on 56, now holds the second-highest individual score in T20Is. Finch, who recently suffered a hamstring injury, holds the record for the highest individual score in T20Is following his breezy 156 against England in 2013.

Deciding to bat first, Australia got off to a crisp start until debutant Usman Khawaja (14) was dismissed by Ashish Nehra in the third over. Watson and Shaun Marsh (9) added 53 runs for the second wicket. However, the introduction of spin saw the hosts losing two quick wickets in Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (3).

BBL sensation Travis Head (26) gave adequate support to his captain as the duo added 93 runs for the fourth wicket. Chris Lynn also added a quickfire 13 but it was Watson who bludgeoned the Indian bowlers to take the Australians close to 200.