Hyderabad: Dhoni & Co. ended their losing streak against England as they thrashed the visitors in the first ODI of the five-match series by 126 runs to secure their maiden victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday.
The magnificent victory, which was also India’s second biggest win against England, too an extent healed Team India’s wound which they developed during the recent England tour.
After skipper MS Dhoni’s blitzkrieg and Suresh Raina’s brave show powered India to a daunting 300/7, spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rattled the Cook-led side, clinching a comprehensive win for their side.
Chasing 301, England lost opener Craig Kieswetter with just 7 runs on the board. Praveen Kumar gave the first blow to England getting Kieswetter caught behind. Kevin Petersen was the second man to depart before skipper Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott tried put up a strong fight against the hosts.
However, after Cook’s half-ton, Jadeja got him caught by Vinay Kumar, triggering England’s collapse. Trott (26) soon followed his master in the dressing room after being bowled by the left-arm spinner.
R Ashwin then capitalized on the double bow by Jadeja and dismissed Ravi Bopara (8) without allowing him to settle down. Jadeja then struck again and sent back J Bairstow (3) with a simple return catch, reducing England to 126/6.
India were in full control before Ashwin worsened the matter England getting rids of their last hope Tim Bresnan. Umesh Yadav who had a wicket less spell earlier, claim two victims in the form of Graeme Swann and Samit Patel.
However, Ashwin gave India the victorious moment, bowling out Jade Dernbach. Ashwin finished with 3/35 while Jadeja ended up with 3/34.
Earlier, MS Dhoni destroyed the English attack in death overs to set a challenging 301-run target for England. Dhoni stayed unbeaten after hitting 70-ball-87, studded with 10 boundaries and a six to guide India to 300/7 in 50 overs.
The last 15 overs yielded a whopping 150 runs as one got a glimpse of vintage Dhoni. The now famous 'Helicopter shot' fetched him plenty of runs as he hit 10 boundaries and a six en route his 42nd half century in ODIs. The innings assumed significance considering the amount of pressure he was in after England tour. He was ably supported by Suresh Raina who also smashed an aggresive 61 off 55 balls.
India were scoring runs at a sedate pace for the first 35 overs partly to the dual nature of the surface and also some disciplined bowling by the visitors before the duo started the hammering of the England bowlers adding 72 runs for the fifth wicket in only 10 overs.
Electing to bat, India lost their first wicket in the fourth over. Parthiv Patel (9), who impressed with the willow in England, was unfortunate to be ahead of the crease when a straight drive by Ajinkya Rahane kissed Steven Finn palm before hitting the stumps at the non striker end with scorecard reading 17.
Rahane (15) too failed to shine and surrendered before Graeme Swann in his first over after a struggling knock of 15 off 41 deliveries.
Birthday boy Gautam Gambhir who was in fine touch couldn’t make it large and got trapped leg before wickets by Jade Dernbach after hitting 32. With India three down before 100-mark, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina approached defensively.
However, after a 44-run stand between the two, Samit Patel dented India by sending back Kohli reducing them to 123/4 in 29 overs.
But a magical turnaround was on the card as Raina and skipper Dhoni took on the English attack with grit to accelerate the scoring rate. The due shared crease for 10 overs and scored at seven runs per over to raise hope for India.
Raina slammed an explosive 55-balls-61, studded with two sixes, before falling to Finn. Dhoni didn’t let the momentum slow down and kept attacking the bowlers with big hits.
Once Raina departed, Dhoni took it upon himself to punish the English bowlers who suddenly lacked discipline after bowling well for the better part of the innings.
Electing to bat, India lost their first wicket in the fourth over. Parthiv Patel (9), who impressed with the willow in England, was unfortunate to be ahead of the crease when a straight drive by Ajinkya Rahane kissed Steven Finn palm before hitting the stumps at the non striker end with scorecard reading 17.
Rahane (15) too failed to shine and surrendered before Graeme Swann in his first over after a struggling knock of 15 off 41 deliveries.
Birthday boy Gautam Gambhir who was in fine touch couldn’t make it large and got trapped leg before wickets by Jade Dernbach after hitting 32. With India three down before 100-mark, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina approached defensively.
However, after a 44-run stand between the two, Samit Patel dented India by sending back Kohli reducing them to 123/4 in 29 overs.
But a magical turnaround was on the card as Raina and skipper Dhoni took on the English attack with grit to accelerate the scoring rate. The due shared crease for 10 overs and scored at seven runs per over to raise hope for India.
Raina slammed an explosive 55-balls-61, studded with two sixes, before falling to Finn. Dhoni didn’t let the momentum slow down and kept attacking the bowlers with big hits.
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