It was a case of so near but so far for England as their skipper Eoin Morgan's brave innings went in vain as India defeated the visitors by 15 runs in the 2nd One-day International to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium on Thursday
2nd ODI: Eoin Morgan's innings in vain as India beat England to seal series 2-0
India's Mahindra Singh Dhoni (C) raises his bat after completing his half century as India's Yuvraj Singh (L) looks on during the 2nd ODI match between India and England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Thursday. Pic/AFP
Cuttack: It was a case of so near but so far for England as their skipper Eoin Morgan's brave innings went in vain as India defeated the visitors by 15 runs in the 2nd One-day International to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here today.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned the clock back with a batting masterclass as the old warhorses' twin tons powered India to series win.
Coming into bat with India struggling at 25 for three, Yuvraj and Dhoni brought into play their years of experience to not only bail the team out of trouble, but also propel them to a formidable 381 for six in the stipulated 50 overs.
In reply, England fought to the end with captain Eoin Morgan leading the chase with a swashbuckling century, only for his side to fall short narrowly at the packed Barabati Stadium.
Needing 22 off the final over, seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept his nerves and conceded a mere six runs, even as triumphant skipper Virat Kohli punched his fist in the air in jubilation.
Despite being set a mammoth target, England were in the game as long as Morgan was in the middle, but bowler Jasprit Bumrah put paid to the visiting side's hopes when he calmly ran out the England skipper in the non-striker's end after he backed up too far.
India rode on quickfire centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to post a commanding 381 for six in the second cricket one-dayer here today.
The duo added 256 runs between them in 38.2 overs to bring the Indian innings back on track after England pacer Chris Woakes had reduced the hosts to 25/3 by the fifth over.
Yuvraj posted 150 runs, surpassing his previous personal best score of 139 and also accumulated the most runs by an Indian batsman against England, going past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
The Punjab southpaw's sublime 127-ball innings included a whopping 21 boundaries and three sixes before an attempted drive ended up giving a thickish edge to England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler to hand Woakes his fourth wicket of the match.
Dhoni launched a fearsome assault on the England bowlers to help push India beyond the 350-run mark.
The former India captain plundered 134 runs off 122 balls with 10 boundaries and six hits into the stands. He was caught on the square leg boundary by David Willey while trying ot hit Liam Plunkett for another six.
Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya came up with some big shots towards the close to end the Indian innings on a high.
Woakes sent back the entire Indian top-order for figures of 4/46 in nine overs. Plunket returned 2/91 in 10 overs.
Beleaguered England were required to bat out of their skins to overcome the imposing target, which they could not.
Even a target of 382 did not look safe enough as England almost scripted a brilliant chase with Morgan's valiant century.
With Morgan in full flow on a benign pitch and the heavy dew working to their advantage, England needed 28 from 10 balls, but Bumrah's presence of mind saved the day for India.
Morgan finished with 102 from 81 balls with six fours and five sixes.
Liam Plunkett straight drove one with an anxious Morgan out of the crease as Bumrah gathered the ball and disturbed the stumps with a cool-headed display. It was all over for England who ended at 366 for five.
Bumrah returned with 2/81, while Ravichandran Ashwin was also among wickets with 3/65. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja played his part, conceding just 45 runs for one wicket in his full quota of 10 overs.
England kept themselves in line with Morgan's century under pressure, coming after half tons from Jason Roy (82), Joe Root (54) and Moeen Ali (55).
Needing something special, English opener Roy and number three Root took the score past 100. But Ashwin made up for his ordinary outing last time and snared the wicket of Root straightaway after being introduced in the 20th.
Dropped on 37 by Jadeja, Ali went on to post the fourth half-century of the lineup and gave the captain fine support, reducing the deficit to 83 from 40 balls.
With both batsmen looking ominous, it was Bhuvneshwar, who replaced Umesh Yadav in the only change for today's game, who gave a crucial breakthrough by removing Ali with a slower ball.
After being dropped, Roy also had an extended stay till he was castled by Jadeja, who continued his spell at the other end.
In the next over, Ashwin bowled the dangerman Ben Stokes (1) to reduce them to 173/4 and derail their chase with skipper Morgan waging a lone battle.
Ashwin, then, brilliantly foxed Buttler by dropping the ball outside leg as Dhoni whipped the bail off.
BRIEF SCORES:
India: 381 for six in 50 overs (Yuvraj Singh 150, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 134; Chris Woakes 4/60).
England: 366 for 8 in 50 overs (Jason Roy 82, Eoin Morgan 102, Joe Root 54; Ravichandran Ashwin 3/65).
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
