Kuldeep, Rohit Star Again As India Crushes England

Kuldeep Yadav's career-best 6 for 25 and a classical 137* off 114 balls from Rohit Sharma helped India to beat England by 8 wickets at Trent Bridge on Thursday, July 12. It was expected to be an exciting match but ended up with a one-sided affair as India take a 1-0 lead in 3-match series.

Fans were expecting another high scoring thriller on a ground where England set-up new world record for highest score (481/6 vs Australia) in an ODI match nearly a month ago. But Kuldeep Yadav's magical bowling throw cold water on their expectations.



England's trouble against spin continued in this match also as they failed to read Kuldeep Yadav completely. Before this, India had won the toss and decided to field first. England started their innings with a bang as Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow added 73 off 63 balls before Kuldeep Yadav grabbed Roy. He scored 38 off 35 balls. Kuldeep's wrist magic didn't end here as he dismissed Joe Root (3 off 6 balls) and Bairstow (38 off 35 balls) in one over. Root missed a sharp turning ball while Bairstow failed to read wrong'un. Despite a solid start, England was reduced to 83 for 3 after 12.5 overs.

Skipper Eion Morgan and Ben Stokes tried to rebuild the inning but this time Yuzvendra Chahal strikes and got Morgan. He was caught by Suresh Raina on 19 in trying to flick the ball. England lost their 4th wicket on 105 under 20 overs.

Inform Jos Buttler along with Stokes came to rescue England from a vulnerable situation. Both added 93 off 118 balls before Buttler caught behind to Kuldeep Yadav. He made 53 off 51 balls. His partner Stokes also reaches to his half-century off 102 balls but before he could accelerate his inning, Kuldeep Yadav dismissed him also. He scored 50 off 103 balls.



When Stokes got out, England was 214 for 6 after 44.1 overs. Moeen Ali (24 off 23 balls) and Adil Rashid (22 off 16 balls) helped England reach 268. However, they couldn't play 50 overs and all out in 49.5 overs.

Apart from Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal also bowled well. He finished his spell with 1 for 51 in 10 overs. Umesh Yadav also picked 2 for 70 in 9.5 overs while debutant Siddarth Kaul conceded 62 in his 10 overs without taking a wicket.

In reply of 269, India never looked in any sort of trouble. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave a flying start by adding 59 in just 7.5 overs. However, Dhawan got out to Ali in trying to hit over long on. He made 40 off 27 balls. But then Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli took the game away from England's reach with a partnership worth 167 off 151 balls.



Kohli who played at No.4 in T20Is back to his regular position a played a match-winning knock of 75 off 82 balls before he got stumped out by Buttler. Before this Rohit Sharma completed his 18th one-day century off just 82 balls with a six to Adil Rashid. He remained not out as India won the match with 59 balls to spare. KL Rahul scored 9* off 18 balls.

England didn't have much success with the ball. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid took a wicket each but they never looked too troubled India at any stage of the game.

Kuldeep Yadav's 6 for 25 is the best figures for a left-arm wrist spinner in an ODI Match. He was awarded Man Of The Match for his great spell of spin bowling.

The second match of 3-match series will be played on Saturday, July 14 at Lord's, London.

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