FIRST ODI - IND Vs ENG
MATCH REVIEW
VENUE - PUNE
We're in the closing stages of England's tour & this is - "Paytm ODI Series". Team India's dominance continues,as the hosts clinch the victory over the english team to go one up in the series. It was a clinical performance of men in blue, with the bat. Two youngsters coming through the ranks & made their debut in this match & made this match an event for the record books.
INDIAN BATTING - ROCKS
Eoin Morgan, the england skipper won the toss again & puts the opposition in - no real surprise. So, men in blue were batting first & this proved to be a blessing in disguise. Now toss is something, which hardly matters for this team as they won last few matches either way. While batting first, with the key contributions of Shikhar Dhawan(98),skipper Virat Kohli(56),K.L.Rahul(62*) & debutant Krunal Pandya(58*) - team india post a humongous score of 317 in the stipulated 50 overs. Advantage Team-India.
GABBAR IS BACK
Shikhar Dhawan - "The Gabbar", was due for runs from real long time & when there's so fierce competition for his spot in white ball cricket, this left handed classy batsman need to score some big runs. Thankfully, it came just at the right time for him.His crucial contribution of 98 runs helped team india to lay the foundation for a big score. Although, he missed on his century but still he'll be happy with his performance. Dhawan is such a classy player & it's an absolute delight to watch him,when he is on the top of his game."Gabbar is Back" !!
WELCOME RETURN - FOR K.L.RAHUL
Rahul had a very average T20 series & he was also in search of his form. Fortunately, in this testing phase team backed him in white ball cricket. In this match, he played in the middle order & man he found his touch in the very game, scoring a half-century(62*) after a real long time . More importantly, it's not about how many runs he scored but the way he scored & in the situation he scored. He also had 112 run unbeaten partnership with debutant Krunal Pandya. A welcome return to form- for K.L.Rahul.
TWO DEBUTANTS - THE IMPACT PLAYERS
Two youngsters coming through the ranks, made their debut in this match. It's - Krunal Pandya & Prasidh Krishna. We've seen Krunal playing for Mumbai Indians & Prasidh Krishna for Kolkata Knight Riders, in IPL.
A superlative innings from Krunal(58*), in the last ten overs - scoring runs at strike rate of 200 & helped team india to pass 300 run mark. It was an emotional moment for him, sitting alongside his brother & performing like this. He dedicated his unbeaten half century on debut to his father.
On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna created a history & became the only bowler to have a "Four Wicket Haul"on debut. In his first spell, he got some beating but came back really well & ripped through the england fragile batting line up. He picked the prize wickets of - Jason Roy,Ben Stokes,Sam Billings & Tom Curran. Impressive Stuff !!
ENGLAND'S FRAGILE BATTING - EXPOSED
England was chasing a steep mountain & it was some challenge. But, the aggressive & dominant approach of openers - Bairstow & Roy made the visitor's job easier. England was cruising & they were 135 for no loss. Then came the turning point, when team india got the breakthrough in the form of "Jason Roy". This has exposed the fragility of England line-up,as visitors lost all of their ten wickets in a space of 115 runs & couldn't bat for 50 overs.
BAIRSTOW'S INNINGS - ALL IN VAIN
Jonny Bairstow - The lone fighter in the english team, up for this impossible chase. Although, he received some support from Jason Roy but he also perished after scoring 46 runs. The jinx of 40's continues for Roy. Otherwise, Bairstow was the only one going for this chase.England kept loosing wickets at regular intervals & stumbled at 251 only. Bairstow's innings of 94 runs- all in vain.
BHUVI - THE X-FACTOR
The spearhead of indian pace attack - Bhuvneshwar kumar, yet again was a class apart. His economy was 3.30 & picked two crucial wickets as well. He is such a miser in conceding runs & super consistent in picking wickets. Surely, he was the X-factor of the match. Bhuvi - Truly An Asset !!
GAME VERDICT
Indian bowlers did it for the team & limited the visitors to 251 & won the opening game of the series. This is a huge advantage in a three match series. Now, it's a do or die for England. On the other hand, team india would like to wrap the series in the next game only. It will be a contest to watch. Team-India outplayed England in first ODI of the series. Will the world champions bounce back or the men in blue will march,on their winning streak ? Interesting phase !!
FINAL SCORES:-
IND - 317/4 (50.0 OVERS)
ENG - 251/10 (42.1 OVERS)
Player of The Match - Shikhar Dhawan
WRITTEN BY: SAKSHAM
Comments