India get a start

Dhoni, Raina and Jadeja guide hosts to dominating 126-run victory over England in first one-dayer at Hyderabad

India get a start

Dhoni, Raina and Jadeja guide hosts to dominating 126-run victory over England in first one-dayer at Hyderabad

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led from the front with an unbeaten 87 off 70 balls to give India a thumping 126-run win over England in the first one-day international here at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium yesterday. India, playing their first international match at home since the World Cup triumph in April, were without stars Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. But that didn't stop Dhoni and Co to kick off the cricket season with a handsome victory.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni slams one during his captain's
knock of 87 (10x4s & 1x6s) against England in the first ODI at the
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad yesterday.
In reply, England were bowled out for 176 to give India a 126-run victory
and 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Pics/AFP, Getty Images

Dhoni's exhilarating display of power-hitting meant the hosts piled on 91 runs in the last ten overs to finish with a competitive 300-7 after he won the toss and chose to bat. In fact, Dhoni, assisted by Suresh Raina (61) and Ravindra Jadeja (27), powered the team to score 177 runs in the last 21 overs. The captain's innings studded with 10 fours and a six.

Suresh Raina lofts one en route a well made 61 (5x4s & 2x6s) which
was the second highest score in the India innings yesterday.

In reply, England, fresh from their resounding success over India at home, were bundled out for 174 in 36.1 overs after losing their last eight wickets for just 63 runs. Skipper Alaistar Cook, who top-scored with 60, had steered the visitors to a comfortable 111-2 after 23 overs until left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja had him caught at deep midwicket.u00a0

All-round show: Ravindra Jadeja is embraced by his teammates
after removing Jonathan Trott yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Cook and Jonathan Trott (26) had put 71 runs for the third wicket to rescue England from a poor start that saw them reduced to 40-2 in 9.1 overs. It was Jadeja who turned the match on its head by removing both batsmen in successive overs. Following Cook's dismissal, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara and Jonny Bairstow fell in the space of 12 deliveries as England slipped to 126-6.

For India, Jadeja and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed three wickets each while seamer Umesh Yadav slipped through the defence of both Samit Patel and Graeme Swann. Praveen Kumar had Craig Kieswetter caught behind in the third over.

Earlier, Suresh Raina and Dhoni added 72 runs for the fifth wicket to accelerate India's scoring rate that was hovering at a little over four runs to the over until the 35th over. There were useful contributions by Gautam Gambhir (32) and Virat Kohli (27), who tried to rebuild the innings after early setbacks.

Making a comeback after an injury, Gambhir, who batted at number three, was looking in ominous touch on his birthday. He, however, did not last long and was trapped leg before off a full toss from Jade Dernbach. The Indian innings began on a disastrous note as Parthiv Patel (9) was run out after Rahane's shot back to the bowler hit the stumps.