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ToggleThe hosts England turned things around after an early defeat against India to clinch the three-match One-day International series 2-1, following their convincing eight-wicket win at Headingley in Leeds on July 17 (Tuesday).
India didn’t have a good start after putting into bat first by English skipper Eoin Morgan. They lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma early, however, a timely partnership from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli steadied the ship.
The pair added 71 runs before Dhawan departed six shy of his first fifty on this tour. Kohli continued his innings, but eventually lacked support from the other end.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni once again provided some support scoring 42 runs while Kohli departed registering 71 runs.
However, some late blows from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur ensured the score to go past the 250-run mark.
Meanwhile, in reply, England batters did an exceptional job as they tackled Kuldeep Yadav brilliantly.
After a good opening stand, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root guided the hosts to the moderate total. Root scored back-to-back hundreds while Morgan played an outstanding knock of unbeaten 88 runs.
India will have a lot to work on ahead of the World Cup next year in England.
Here is the players rating of the Men in Blue:
SHIKHAR DHAWAN (6.5/10):
Shikhar Dhawan got his eye in playing cautious innings, however, couldn’t bat till the end to guide his team to a big total.
The southpaw scored 44 runs off 49 deliveries including seven boundaries before getting run out following a brilliant direct hit by none other than Ben Stokes.
ROHIT SHARMA (1/10):
Rohit Sharma had a very poor outing as he managed to contribute only two runs before getting out.
The swashbuckling batsman struggled to get going in challenging conditions as he took 18 balls to score just two runs.
VIRAT KOHLI (7.5/10):
Virat Kohli once again led the side from the front scoring yet another half-century.
On the way, he became the fastest skipper to reach to 3,000 runs. His knock of 71 runs came from 72 balls including eight boundaries.
DINESH KARTHIK (4.5/10):
Dinesh Karthik came into the squad in place of KL Rahul but couldn’t utilise the opportunity. He got a good start scoring a quickfire 21 runs. He failed to convert the start and will be cursing on himself to let go of this opportunity.
SURESH RAINA (2/10):
Suresh Raina’s trouble in challenging conditions was out in the open again as he failed to contribute. Despite being among runs in the last game he got out scoring only run at Headingley.
India will seriously have to think about their middle-order with the World Cup next year in England.
MS DHONI (5.5/10):
Mahendra Singh Dhoni once again played a crucial knock of 42 runs but couldn’t score quickly as he lacked partners at the other end.
The former India skipper took 66 balls including two boundaries.
HARDIK PANDYA (4.5/10):
Hardik Pandya has scored runs here and there but the big scores are yet to come. He once again scored 21 runs before getting out in a crucial moment.
Pandya was also expensive with the ball and he will have to step up to retain his berth in the side.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (5/10):
Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed with important 21 runs with the bat, however, failed to pick wickets with the new ball. Kumar returned wicketless which will pile up to India’s miseries.
Pace spearhead just returned from injury and will need some time to get back into the groove.
KULDEEP YADAV (3.5/10):
Kuldeep Yadav remained wicketless in today’s outing after creating so much ruckus in the first two games.
The English batters were brilliant against him as he went for 55 runs in his 10 overs.
Kuldeep could inflict any pain whatsoever, whereas, Adil Rashid reaped fruits which turned out to be one of the main reasons behind India’s loss.
SHARDUL THAKUR (6/10):
Shardul Thakur played a late cameo of 22 runs off 13 deliveries as India managed to cross the 250-run mark.
With the ball in hand, although he provided an early breakthrough, but looked ordinary since then.
The young seamer will have to create an impact in limited opportunities among this star-studded Indian side.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (4.5/10):
Yuzvendra Chahal has been economic throughout the series. But the wickets are hard to come for him. He has struggled to pick wickets which have hurt India’s cause.
Chahal returned with none for 41 in his full quota of 10 overs for India.
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