Time for England to retrospect
What went wrong for the world champions? Even though one can point out the fact that they didn't finish the Indian innings on a good note after allowing an out-of-form KL and a debutant Krunal to smash them at the death, they still had the game in the bag while chasing. They were renowned for going hard at the opponent with the bat and that's exactly what they did tonight. 89 runs in the powerplay and the boundaries kept coming even after that. From 135 for no loss in quick time, they should have gone on to win this but the absence of a consolidator like Root was definitely felt. Hopefully, the champions come up with a better response in the second game to make the series more competitive.
India go 1-0 up
Prasidh finishes proceedings by picking up the last wicket. He has four to his name on debut and no Indian bowler has ever managed to bag more than three on his debut in ODI cricket. He has had a day he will never forget. He leaked plenty of runs at the start but the way he came back strong paved the way for India to win this comfortably despite the start England had.
Rashid departs
Bhuvi is delighted as Rashid edges one behind the keeper. Bhuvi is finally getting rewarded for his efforts at the start of the chase. England is nine down now as India inch closer.
India favorites for the series lead
Bhvuneshwar finally gets off the mark today with the ball as Moeen Ali nicks one behind to the keeper and in the very next over. Krunal makes a breakthrough as Sam Curran miscues a shot while coming down to the pitch of the ball. England are 240/8 now after 39 overs
3 for Prasidh
This partnership was flourishing slowly. More importantly, they looked very assured at the crease but Prasidh is back to break it. Sam Billings chips one tamely straight to Kohli at short cover. England still needs 101 to win this game and Sam Curran is the new man.
Drinks break
England still needs another 106 to win this game and they have 19 overs in the bag. The required rate is not a concern for now. Billings and Moeen have done well to add 36 off 38 deliveries until this point and if they can add another 30 runs now, India will start feeling the pressure. We are in for an interesting finish either way.
Shardul does it again
He has this knack for picking up these timely wickets and he is delivering for India tonight. What a turnaround this is after a 135-run opening partnership. England has lost five wickets for 41 runs since then. Buttler is the latest to go after getting rapped on the pads. The umpire immediately gives it OUT and Buttler challenges the decision. The umpire's call works in India's favor.
Morgan falls
Wow, India is absolutely pumped here. Shardul bowls a short ball at Morgan and the England captain gets a feather to the keeper while attempting a pull. India is on top right now. One more wicket at this stage and they will become favorites to go 1-0 up in the series.
India fightback
That's a massive wicket they have just picked. Bairstow had absolutely destroyed them tonight but he finally miscues one shot and has to walk back. Dhawan missed a ton in the first innings by two runs and now Bairstow misses his century by six runs after getting caught at cow corner. England's run rate is still very good so they are the favorites to win this. But they need to be a bit careful here so that they don't keep losing wickets.
Almost 2 in 2
Agony for the hosts as Kohli drops Morgan's first ball at slip. Prasidh is going through a good spell here and got the outside edge of the England skipper off the very first ball. Kohli actually caught it but while tumbling he grassed the chance. Massive let-off for Morgan. But India looks pumped in the field. England needs to be careful here.
Stokes falls
Prasidh is elated, he has fetched another big wicket as a struggling Stokes walks back. He was promoted to number 3 but didn't make good use of that opportunity. He was bogged down as a result of many dot balls and wants to hit Prasidh over the covers but couldn't get the elevation. Gill takes the catch and India is looking to storm back here.
Relief for India
The bounce gets to Roy as he plays this awkwardly and eventually mistimes it. Suryakumar Yadav at a point almost grasses it but manages to hold on to the catch much to India's relief. The 135-run partnership is finally over and Prasidh fetches his first wicket in national colors. It will be interesting to see who walks out at number 3 for England in Root's absence.
Carnage continues
Bairstow is not going to stop, is he? Probably he is sending a gentle reminder to SRH of his abilities after they benched him towards the end of last season. He has already smashed his sixth six and has raced to 74. India looks stunned!!
50 for Jonny
He has been amazing tonight. He gets to his fifty with a sweep shot that goes for a boundary and then follows it up with a huge six. He doesn't want Kuldeep to settle down. And he definitely wants to finish this quick. India is in desperate need of a wicket.
Destructive powerplay
England really made perfect use of the fielding restrictions. They have smashed India around for 89 in those 10 overs and now the target doesn't look intimidating, does it? Bairstow was the one who caused the most damage scoring 49 and Roy made 32 at the other end. India badly needs someone to come in and stop this carnage.
Post a Comment