Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
Discipline bowling and then proficient batting from Kohli and Gambhir steered India to an Eight-wicket win over England in 2nd ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
Chasing a gettable target of 238, the unbroken 209 run-stand between Gambhir (84*) and Kohli, who scored a whirlwind century (112*) took India safely to home with 80 balls to spare. The Delhi duo set a new record for the third wicket partnership at Kotla, eclipsing the previous best of 175 between Sidhu and Azharuddin against Sri Lanka in 1996.
Despite, losing the two openers Patel (12) and Rahane (14) at, the two Delhi batsmen kept the visitors under the pump and scored at the will of their bowlers.
After the initial success, England bowlers’ efforts went in vain, as Kohli-Gambhir attacked the English bowlers. The left-right combination added trouble for the English camp and scored in all directions. They played sensibly to steady the innings as the pair first got their eye before unleashing some delightful strokes.
Gambhir deft touches were a treat to watch while Kohli was colossal with his timing.Kohli also became the first Indian to score a century at Kotla in 15 years.
Bresnan was the only bowler with wickets in his column as he picked both Indian wickets.
Earlier, winning the toss and electing to bat first. England got off to a worst possible start before losing both their openers inside first two overs with nothing at the scoreboard.
Trott and Pietersen rescued by adding 48 runs before Trott (38) edged one to the keeper. Next came in Bopara steadied the ship with KP and revived England’s inning. Just when the duo looked like bailing the visitors out of trouble, a double strike did the damage as Bopara (36) and Pietersen (46) lost their wickets.
Reeling at 121/5, Bairstow (35) and Samit Patel (42), then took the responsibility upon themselves, they kept the scoreboard ticking. Then the batting power play gave 36 runs to England, taking them past 200.Sixth-wicket stand yielded vital 86 runs before the pair faltered and rest of the lower order could not add much and they bundled up at 237 in 48.2 overs.
Vinay Kumar’s career best 4/30 did most of the damage, but Indian looked like a unit and were generally good in the field too.U.Yadav picked up two wickets while Jadeja, Kumar and Ashwin got wicket apiece.
Cook probably felt that his batsmen failed to capitalize on their starts and fielding was sub-stnadard.While skipper MSD praised his bowlers and batsmen for their efforts in the match.
Virat Kohli was the Man of the Match.
India have the upper hand and they will look to win the series in the next ODI at Mohali on 20th October.
