Khawaja plunders second ODI ton

Australia opener Usman Khawaja might well have booked himself a ticket to the World Cup with his second ODI century against India in the series decider in Delhi.

Khawaja punished India at Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday, bringing up his second 50-over hundred in three matches, and finishing with an even 100 from 106 balls with 10 fours and two sixes.

Australia still has five matches against Pakistan before naming their 15-player World Cup squad by the cut-off date of April 23, but Khawaja's red-hot form in India could be enough to see him head to the UK for his maiden World Cup campaign.

"I'm not looking at my World Cup chances, just going game by game," Khawaja said at the start of the series.

"I'm enjoying it, enjoying being part of the group.

"I worked really hard to get back into the one-day team and I'm just enjoying the ride, doing the best I can for the team.

"Doing my best to win cricket games, that's the most important thing. That's all I can really focus on."

The left-hander has been a model of consistency this series with scores of 50, 38, 104, 91 and now 100 to set a new record for the most runs by an Australian in a five-match ODI series against India.

Khawaja's tally of 383 eclipsed the previous record of 303 set by champion batsman Matthew Hayden in 2001.

In fact, only George Bailey has scored more runs than Khawaja in an ODI series against India.

Six years ago, Bailey racked up 478 runs in six innings that propelled him into the Test team for the 5-0 Ashes whitewash that followed.

Khawaja said after posting his maiden ODI ton in the 32-run win in Ranchi that his new-found dedication to health and fitness has seen been a major factor in his return to the one-day side and the success that has followed.

"I've worked really hard over the past year to get back into the one-day side," Khawaja said.

"With my fitness – day in, day out – I've put in the extra yards.

"It was really satisfying just coming back into the one-day side after all that hard work I'd put in.

"It's even nicer now to get that first 100 and get that win."

Qantas Tour of India

First T20: Australia won by three wickets

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

First ODI: India won by six wickets

Second ODI: India won by eight runs

Third ODI: Australia won by 32 runs

Fourth ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Fifth ODI: March 13, Delhi