Cuttack, January 19
Limited-overs stalwarts Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni rolled back the years to smash scintillating centuries to help India secure a series-clinching 15-run victory in the second ODI against England on Thursday.
England captain Eoin Morgan blasted a blistering 102 but could not take his team over the line as India prevailed in the thrilling run-fest to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Put in to bat, India were reeling at 25/3 at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium when Yuvraj and Dhoni, with the experience of 580 ODIs between them, staged
a spectacular recovery with an epic 256-run partnership spread over 38-odd overs.
Yuvi-Dhoni show
The early dismissals of the openers and the rare failure of skipper Virat Kohli mattered little as Yuvraj and Dhoni exhibited the kind of shot-making which comes naturally to them.
Left-handed Yuvraj, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball, hammered a career-best 150 off 127 balls, a sizzling knock studded with 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Dhoni, who relinquished the limited-overs captaincy earlier this month, made 134 off 122 balls, his 10th ODI century. His innings contained six sixes, including three in a Liam Plunkett over.
Paceman Chris Woakes emerged from the batting carnage with his reputation intact, claiming four wickets as India posted a commanding 381/6.
In reply, England lost Alex Hales cheaply but Joe Root (54) and Jason Roy steadied the innings with a century stand.
India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin (3/65) struck in his first over, dismissing Root, and England lost three more wickets, including that of Roy who made a brisk 82, to slump to 206/5.
Morgan raised 93 runs with Moeen Ali (55) to keep England in the chase and went on to complete his ninth ODI century, which contained five sixes, to inject fresh excitement into the contest.
With 33 needed off the last 12 balls, Morgan was run out in the penultimate over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent down a tidy final over to restrict England to 366/8. — Reuters
Virat Kohli : Two of the greats stood up. Getting 381 from 25 for 3 was outstanding. We knew we’d get wickets at some stage or the other but we bowled at the more difficult part of the day. The guys showed really good character. We pulled it back nicely in the end. Having won the series, just before the Champions Trophy, the key will be for us to express ourselves and work out what is the best opening partnership.
Yuvi speaks
One of my best
Probably, one of my best, my highest score in ODIs. The last time I got a hundred was in the 2011 World Cup; I am pretty happy that I played a good innings.
Told Bangar I would score big
I think in the whole domestic season I had been batting well. I have been hitting the ball well. I have worked hard on my fitness and my batting. I just told Sanjay Bangar (batting coach) the way I’m hitting the ball I think I am going to score big.
Looked to build a partnership
I just tried to get a partnership. They bowled really well upfront and we just wanted to rotate the strike and get into the rhythm, and take our time. There was a lot of time.
Dhoni played great knock
Dhoni played a great innings. He is the most experienced middle-order batsman in the team. He was more free today, the way he was batting. I have always said when Mahi is not captaining he is more free and you saw the result today.