India scored 126 to beat England by four wickets in the Champions Trophy one-day international on Sunday.
JAIPUR: India have over the years mastered the art of making a seemingly dull match exciting. Against England on Sunday they stayed true to their reputation — almost making a mess of what seemed like a cakewalk.
A good bowling performance was followed by a disappointing one with the bat. But in the end, they just managed to scrape through. All thanks to two reasons - their helpful opponents and Sachin Tendulkar.
It was already a special match for Tendulkar — it marked his record 368th ODI appearance. And he ensured the occasion was special, guiding India to a four-wicket victory with a patient 35. It was not a spectacular innings, nonetheless a significant one.
Chasing a modest target of 126, India lost Virender Sehwag early. But Tendulkar was involved in a quickfire (52-ball) 50-run partnership with No.3 Irfan Pathan - who had earlier in the day impressed with the ball with figures of 8-3-20-2.
The Englishmen also contributed generously to the Indian cause by conceding 19 extras. In the context of the match, it was crucial.
India perhaps handed England the initial advantage by opting to field first in conditions suitable for batting.
But a vindicated Rahul Dravid, Indian captain, later explained he had taken the decision “after taking into consideration a combination of things, the primary ones being the unknown nature of the wicket and the dew factor since they’re playing two spinners.”
The England innings folded up for a paltry 125 in 37 overs. This was England lowest ever score in a one-day international.
Andrew Flintoff failed with the bat. The England captain faced just seven balls before he was trapped in front by Irfan Pathan.
And his dismissal not only sent the stadium to a state of delirium but for once, saw the normally reticent Indian captain Rahul Dravid celebrate in the manner that was seen before. Not without reason though. For he had his wish fulfilled - a day earlier he had said he’d like Flintoff fail with the bat.
The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals thereafter and just four of their batsmen managed to reach the double figures, Paul Collingwood top-scoring with 38 followed by Kevin Pietersen with 27.
Besides Pathan, Munaf Patel (8-2-18-3) and Ramesh Powar (8-1-24-3) also had impressive bowling figures. But as much as the bowlers bowled well, they were equally helped by their opponents’ generosity. Needless to say Team India gladly accepted the “English Present.”
SCORECARD
England Innings
Andrew Strauss c Dravid b Pathan 10
Ian Bell lbw b Patel 4
Andrew Flintoff lbw b Pathan 0
Michael Yardy lbw b Patel 4
Kevin Pietersen c Tendulkar b Patel 27
Paul Collingwood c Dhoni b Powar 38
Jamie Dalrymple c Dravid b Powar 24
Chris Read c Pathan b Singh 2
Sajid Mahmood c Singh b Powar 8
Steve Harmison not out 2
James Anderson run out 1
Extras (2lb, 2w, 1nb) 5
Total (all out) 125
Overs: 37
Fall of wickets: 1 10, 2 11, 3 17, 4 27, 5 55, 6 104, 7 107, 8 119, 9 124.
Bowling: Irfan Pathan 8 3 20 2 (1w), Munaf Patel 8 2 18 3, Ajit Agarkar 5 0 34 0 (1w), Harbhajan Singh 8 0 27 1 (1nb), Ramesh Powar 8 1 24 3
India Innings
Virender Sehwag c Strauss b Harmison 9
Sachin Tendulkar lbw b Harmison 35
Irfan Pathan c Pietersen b Anderson 19
Rahul Dravid c Strauss b Anderson 4
Yuvraj Singh not out 27
Mahendra Dhoni c Collingwood b Dalrymple 7
Suresh Raina b Dalrymple 0
Harbhajan Singh not out 6
Extras (7lb, 11w, 1nb) 19
Total (for six wickets) 126
Overs: 29.3
Fall of wickets: 1 18, 2 68, 3 72, 4 98, 5 119, 6 119
Bowling: James Anderson 7 1 40 2 (1w), Steve Harmison 6 0 34 2 (1nb, 8w), Sajid Mahmood 8.3 0 30 0 (2w), Michael Yardy 4 0 10 0, Jamie Dalrymple 4 0 5 2
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