London: An incredible fightback by Ravi Bopara and newcomer Jonny Bairstow denied India what would have been their maiden victory of the tour as England thrashed the visitors by six wickets in the final ODI at Cardiff on Friday. Despite chasing a revised target that was stiffer than the one set by the visitors initially, England batsmen showed courage and registered a magnificent win to finish the series 3-0.After India posted 304/6, rain delayed start of the second innings. The game resumed with a revised target of 270 in 40 overs for the hosts. The English openers started cautiously.
However, medium-pacer Vinay Kumar struck to trap Craig Kieswetter (21 off 17 balls) to give England the first jolt before rain returned to halt the chase.
The game resumed with a fresh target of 241 in 34 overs. England skipper Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott played sensibly to consolidate the innings. However, just after Cook reached his half-ton, Virat Kohli cleaned him up to reduce England to 106/2.
Cook’s dismissal came in the delivery after he was dropped by Rahul Dravid off Kohli.
Ian Bell then joined Trott in the stiff chase. The duo kept England in hunt with some big hits against the Indian spin attack. However, the visitors fought back dismissing both batsmen in quick succession with the asking rate at more than 8 per over.
RP Singh first got rid of Bell (26) before Ravindra Jadeja sent back a well settled Trott for 69.
With two new batsmen Bopara and Bairstow at the crease, India looked in control. However, the visitors couldn’t capitalise on the situation as both batsmen turned the tide in their favour with aggressive batting.
Bairstow smashed a quick-fire 41 off 21 balls while Bopara scored 37 off 22, as England eventually eased to a six-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.
Indian innings
An outstanding century by Virat Kohli, supported by Rahul Dravid’s gritty 69 and a fiery cameo by skipper MS Dhoni, powered India to 304/6.
Kohli was the top-scorer with 107 while Dravid, who will be retiring from ODIs after this match scored 69 off 79 balls. Dhoni played a captain’s knock and stayed unbeaten on 50 off just 26 deliveries.
After being invited in to bat, Indian openers were watchful. India reached 43/0 at the end of the first powerplay. While Ajinkya Rahane looked confident after being dropped by Samit Patel, Parthiv Patel was more cautious in his approach.
After the duo took the score past 50-mark, Jade Dernbach gave England the first breakthrough by removing Rahane for 26.
Graeme Swann once again struck in his very first over and dismissed Patel (19) to give India their second blow. Swann got Patel caught at mid-on by Tim Bresnan, reducing India to 57/2.
However, Kohli and Dravid then set up the innings with great determination. The duo frustrated the English attack and shared 170-run stand for the third wicket before the hosts fought back with Swann’s double bow.
Swann first bowled out Dravid and then dismissed Kohli after his ton to reduce India to 236/4. 38-year-old Dravid got a brilliant send-off from the English players as he donned the Indian blue jersey for the last time.
After hitting 107 off 93 balls, Kohli was out hit wicket while trying to flick Swann.
The Indian skipper then took the baton and powered the side to their highest total of the series. Dhoni took the attack to the opposition from the word go as he plundered 26-ball-50 that was studded with two sixes and five boundaries. Swann picked up three for 34 runs.
