#INDvENG #ODI Series 2017
2nd ODI, #Cuttack
It was a day of centuries at the #Barabati #Stadium in #Cuttack, the venue for 2nd ODI between #India and #England. Trailing 0-1, English captain #EoinMorgan chose to chase on this super flat deck and also assuming that dew in evening would support their batsmen when chasing the total.
Early breakthroughs for #ChrisWoakes, including the prized scalp of talisman #VirakKohli put India on the backfoot early. Woakes snared Rahul, Virat and Dhavan in quick succession to send India reeling at 25 for 3.
In walked #MSDhoni to join #YuvrajSingh. It needed a partnership to not just bail India out of trouble but set a score where they could challenge the English batters. As it turned out, a dream partnership of sublime timing (Yuvraj - 150) and masterly timed innings (Dhoni - 134*) to guide India. They put on a stunning 256 run partnership (5th highest for any wicket in #ODIs). Both scoring majestic centuries in the bargain. By the time Yuvraj left, they had set up a great platform for the young bashers in Jadhav and Pandya to take centrestage.
With the insurance of Dhoni at the other end both didnt disappoint. Jadhav and Pandya slogged their way to get India to a massive 381 for 8 in 50 overs. MS remained unbeaten on 134.
The chase needed a similar response from English batsmen. However, #AlexHales nicked one Dhoni to get England to a worst possible start. Mr. Dependable #JoeRoot then joined #JasonRoy and both decided to take the attack to the Indians. Together they strung a century partnership.
Just when things began to look brighter , a change of bowling worked for Kohli.
#RAshwin, after a poor game in Pune, bounced back to get Root. His flight and the wicket did him in. He lofted one straight to midwicket where skipper Kohli completed his catch.
#Morgan then stepped in and started accumulating runs. #JasonRoy kept smashing at the other end and propelled the innings with a wonderful 83 before he was castled by #Jaddu, #Moeen made a quickfire 50 and at 203 for 4 in 30 overs, the target seemed achievable. It was 20-20 scenario.
A couple of quick blows though set England back. Ashwin foxed dangerous #BenStokes and then tricked #JosButtler in quick succession to put pressure on England. #Morgan continued his fine strokeplay though and kept the asking rate within grasp. At 349 for 7, needing 33 in 18 balls, the game looked even and slightly tilted towards England since Morgan was in superb touch.
Then tragedy struck. Bumrah's yorker was somehow dug by Plunkett but straight back to him. By that time, Morgan had followed up too long and way out of his crease. Bumrah ran him out comfortably to release a lot of tension in the India camp. The final couple of overs saw England fizzle out and ended 15 runs short of the target. What a pity! They were in it for most of the game and it would have been an all time classic run-chase if they had pulled this off!
India win the series 2-0 and the third one dayer will be played in #Kolkata on 22nd Jan 2017.
Man of the Match: Yuvraj Singh
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