Published: Sep 07, 2014, 10:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 08, 2014, 10:33 AM (IST)
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Sep 7, 2014
It was down to the last over, with 17 needed and MS Dhoni on strike. But, Chris Woakes held his nerve in spite of conceding a six off the first ball to steal a three-run victory against India in the lone T20 International at Edgbaston. India were chasing 181 and were led by Virat Kohli‘s inspired knock, but fell short of the target to end their England tour with a defeat.
Some splendid batting displays were in store on the day. To start with, Eoin Morgan celebrated his 50th T20 International with an exciting innings of 71 off 31 balls. England had won the toss and elected to bat with Jason Roy making his debut. The openers got England off to a decent start, but India kept pegging the hosts back with wickets. At the half0way stage, they were 76 for three with Alex Hales back in the hut after a brisk 40. And, in the next five overs, they managed only 23 as England were on 99 for four.
It was after the 15th over that Morgan unleashed his array of strokes. Anything short was smacked over mid-wicket. If they bowled a bit wide, he flayed it through the off-side. The fuller deliveries were smacked down the ground with great power. Morgan inspired England and brought life to the innings. In the last five overs they smashed, 82 runs. Ravi Bopara also contributed at the end with a nine-ball 21 to take England to 180 for seven. Karn Sharma shined on debut with one for 28. Though Mohammed Shami took three wickets, he went for 38 runs. Ajinkya Rahane got a rare record of taking four catches in the innings.
Chasing 181, India lost the wicket of Rahane in the second over with Moeen Ali. Rahane had swept him for a six off the previous ball, and was bowled round the leg while trying to do the same. But, Kohli walked out as a man on a mission. Early in his innings, he showed that he was in touch when he flicked a few off his body into the boundary. Shikhar Dhawan too played a few through the leg-side to help India recover. With a couple of big shots, India had managed to put up 53 for one in the powerplays.
Kohli was in a different zone; wanting to end the tour on a high. When Moeen came on again, he charged down the ground to smash him for a six through mid-wicket. At the half-way mark, India were 89 for one. Dhawan feel soon after as Chris Woakes got through his defence as he played across the line. India still managed to score at a good rate with Suresh Raina joining in and essaying a few boundaries.
Kohli got to his fifty off 34 balls and did not celebrate a lot. India went on to build, but in the 15th over, Kohli tried to pull Steven Finn and was caught in the deep. Harry Gurney and James Tredwell followed it up with two good overs. Gurney then got the all-important wicket of Suresh Raina as he castled him with a beautiful yorker. Dhoni, also playing his 50th T20 International, promoted himself and came in at No 5. At the fall of Raina, Ravindra Jadeja came in. Deja vu Chennai Super Kings!
Jadeja did not last long though as he was run-out for seven as the match got tighter. Off the last two India needed 26, and Dhoni hit a boundary to get things going. But, Gurney responded with a couple of dots to Ambati Rayudu as India were left with 17 to get off the last over. Woakes was handed the ball for the last over and Dhoni smashed the first ball for a six over mid-wicket. There was miscommunication between the batsmen off the next ball, but they managed two. Dhoni then turned down an easy single off the third ball. Dhoni then smashed it over mid-off for a four. And then there was a dot ball. But, only a single was taken off the last ball as India lost by three runs.
Brief scores:
England 180 for 7 in 20 overs (Eoin Morgan 71,Alex Hales 40; Mohammed Shami 3 for 38, Karn Sharma 1 for 28) beat India 177 for 5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 66, Shikhar Dhawan 33; Steven FInn 1 for 28, Harry Gurney 1 for 19) by 3 runs.
Man of the Match: Eoin Morgan
Complete coverage of India’s tour to England here
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
