Khawaja makes Cup case with Ranchi ton

Usman Khawaja has made an emphatic case to open the batting for Australia in the World Cup with a maiden one-day international century against India on Friday.

Khawaja calmly removed his helmet, raised both arms and saluted the heavens and his adoring teammates in the away team dressing room once he scored his first ODI hundred in his 24th match to throw his hat in the ring to face the new ball in the upcoming World Cup in the UK.

He was out for 104 in the 39th over, caught at mid-wicket by Jasprit Bumrah miscuing a pull shot from fast bowler Mohammed Shami.

Captain Aaron Finch, who posted a drought-breaking 93 at the other end, and suspended batsman David Warner are the expected opening combination for Australia in the quadrennial tournament, but Khawaja's ton from 107 balls will put pressure on the former top-order pair and the National Selection Panel.

Khawaja struck 11 fours and a single six in reaching triple figures, but more importantly he put on 193 with Finch for the first wicket having been sent in to bat by India captain Virat Kohli.

The 32-year-old made his ODI comeback against India in January's Gillette ODI Series and while he didn't post a big total he did enough to earn a ticket to India.

He made 50 in the series opener in Hyderabad before putting on 38 in an 83-run stand with Finch in the nail-biting loss in Nagpur.

However, it could have been a lot different on Friday had India's Shikhar Dhawan swallowed a catch at backward point when Khawaja was on 17.

The left-hander pulled out the reverse sweep to orthodox spinner Ravindra Jadeja, hitting the unconventional shot flush but to Dhawan's left. The Indian spilled the chance and Khawaja has made him pay.

Speaking after that second ODI, Khawaja said he wasn't thinking about the World Cup, just the here and now.

"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," Khawaja said on Sunday.

"I'm doing my best to win cricket games, that's the most important thing.

"That's all I can really focus on."

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: March 8, Ranchi

Fourth ODI: March 10, Mohali

Fifth ODI: March 13, Delhi