Raina, Dhoni hit hundreds as India punish Hong Kong

Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit aggressive hundreds as India punished a hapless Hong Kong by piling up 374-4 in their Group B match at the National Stadium here on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Raina compiled a 68-ball 101 for his maiden century while Dhoni notched an unbeaten 96-ball 109 as both shared a rapid-fire 166-run fourth wicket stand after India won the toss and decided to bat on a slow pitch.

Raina went on the rampage in the slog overs, reaching his second fifty off just 16 deliveries, smashing five sixes and three boundaries in the process.

He hit three of those sixes off paceman Skhawat Ali before hitting another off Irfan Ali to reach his first one-day international hundred off just 66 balls.

In all he hit seven boundaries and five towering sixes before he miscued a lofted shot off Afzaal Haider in the 46th over. He and Dhoni put the innocuous Hong Kong bolwers to submission, taking just 123 balls for their partnership.

So ruthless was Raina that his otherwise aggressive partner was left to watch from the other end.

But once Raina left, Dhoni took little time to take over. He completed his fourth one-day hundred off 90 balls. Dhoni hit six boundaries and six sixes during his innings.

Raina and Dhoni built on the platform provided by a fiery opening stand of 127 by Virendar Sehwag (78) and Gautum Gambhir (51) who also feasted on an inexperienced Hong Kong bowling.

Sehwag smashed 13 boundaries and two sixes during his 44-ball knock, while Gambhir hit seven boundaries during his 54-ball knock.

Hong Kong dismissed Sehwag, Gambhir and Rohit Sharma (11) within the space of 32 runs but their joy was shortlived as they ran into Raina and Dhoni.

Medium pacer Najeeb Amar was the best among the Hong Kong bowlers with 2-40.