India lose fifth ODI by 6 wkts, end England tour without a win

India's nightmarish English summer came to an end Friday without a win as they lost the rain-affected fifth and the final ODI via the Duckworth-Lewis method, souring Rahul Dravid's farewell from the shorter version of the game. It was debutant John Bairstow who ruined Dravid's final ODI as England chased a reduced target of 241 with 10 balls to spare and six wickets in hand and wrapped up a 3-0 series win over India.

Masterstroke! Virat Kohli slams one en route to his 93-ball 107 in the
fifth ODI against England at Sophia Gardens, in Cardiff yesterday.
Pics/ getty images

Man of the Match Bairstow smashed three sixes in his 21-ball 41, while Ravi Bopara chipped in with 37 as England won by six wickets at Sophia Gardens. Earlier, a young Virat Kohli and the experienced Rahul Dravid raised India's hope of a lone win in England by powering the team to a mammoth 304 for six in 50 overs. Kohli struck 107, his sixth ODI ton, in just 87 balls, while Dravid, playing in his 344th and final ODI, made 69 off 79 balls as India recovered after a slow start after being asked to bat at Sophia Gardens.

One last time: Rahul Dravid acknowledges the crowd as he returns to
the pavilion after being clean bowled by Graeme Swann in his last ODI
yesterday

England had their target initially reduced to 270 off 40 overs. Opener Craig Kieswetter raced to 21 but was adjudged leg before to Vinay Kumar before more rains came down, again forcing the target to be reduced to 241 off 34 overs. England captain Alastair Cook (50) was dropped by Dravid at short fine leg but could not make much of the opportunity as he fell next delivery, deceived by a slower straight ball from Kohli, to leave England 106-2.

Jonathan Trott (63) and Ian Bell (23) pushed the England score and kept the team ahead according to the Duckworth-Lewis Method. Bell was caught on the long-off boundary, ending the 54-run partnership and England were reduced to 160-3. They further slumped to 166-4 as Trott miscued an attempted cut off Ravindra Jadeja and was caught by Rudra Pratap Singh at point. Bairstow smashed his fifth ball in international cricket for six and along with Bopara turned the game on its head.

England needed 75 off 50 deliveries when they came together, and they displayed some clean hitting that took the team home safely with six wickets and 10 balls to spare to end Dravid's swansong. Dravid got a standing ovation after being bowled by Graeme Swann as India piled on the agony for England's bowlers late on, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scoring an unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls. India opener Ajinka Rahane (26) failed to make the most of the life that he got after Samit Patel spilled a straightforward catch.

England, however, did not have long to wait long as Jade Dernbach removed Rahane caught brilliantly by Steven Finn to leave India at 52-1. Rahane's departure brought Dravid at the crease and the former India captain got a standing ovation in his farewell match. India lost under quick wicket as Parthiv Patel holed out to mid-on in Swann's first over as the visitors slumped to 57 for two.

Dravid and Kohli then stitched a 170-run stand that swung the match back in India's favour. The 22-year-old Kohli hit the England bowlers attack to all corners of the ground hitting eight boundaries and one six. Kohli innings came to an end in the 44th over when he was out hit wicket off Swann to leave India on 236-4. Dhoni struck a stylish half-century that was studded with five boundaries and two sixes and set England a 305-run target to win.

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