Spirited England Chase Down 305 To Beat India A

Jan 10, 2017 at 10:01 PM

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Spirited England Chase Down 305 To Beat India A

It wasn’t all that of a fairy tale ending for Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as England held their nerves to chase down 305 with more than an over to spare. However, the celebrated game, as it was Dhoni’s last in any form for India as captain, would be best remembered for his exploits with the bat. Dhoni as the captain was vigilant and alert throughout as his field placements remained on point and top notch.

The win at Brabourne Stadium will do England’s confidence a world of good, as they managed to chase down a hefty total against a decent bowling attack. The likes of Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Sam Billings came to the party and were harsh towards the India A pacers in particular.

Things began with Eoin Morgan winning the toss and putting the hosts in to bat. India A got off to an extremely sluggish start as Mandeep Singh and Shikhar Dhawan found it difficult to get going. After Mandeep was dismissed for an agonizing 8 off 24 deliveries; in walked comeback man Ambati Rayudu. Rayudu and Dhawan upped the ante with both batsmen bringing up their respective half centuries.

Dhawan was undone by an absolute peach from Jake Ball for 63 but the crowd seemed rather delighted as India’s Prince charming, Yuvraj Singh walked in. Singh didn’t look rusty even for one bit as he was off and running straight away. Yuvraj took a liking for Rashid and smashed him for a couple of sixes straight down the ground.

The best aspect about Yuvraj was probably in the fact that his fitness seemed top notch. As compared to his previous comeback, he was running with far more energy and his timing was crisp and picture perfect. Rayudu in the meanwhile got to a fantastic century, which was brought up at quicker than run a ball. He retired after getting to the landmark, to be replaced by the man of the moment, MS Dhoni.

Dhoni, who looked off colour last year, began 2017 on a fabulous note as he finished India A’s innings with a flurry. He smashed Chris Woakes all across the ground in the last over to get the team to 304 in 50 overs. Dhoni himself remained unbeaten on 68 off just 40 deliveries.

Needing at more than 6 runs per over, England got off to a flying start mainly due to Roy playing freely. The pace duo of Mohit Sharma and Ashish Nehra was belted and it needed a magical spell from Kuldeep Yadav to get the hosts back in the hunt.

Kuldeep mesmerised one and all with his variations as the chinaman bowler ran through the English top order. Yadav dismissed the openers in quick succession, and just when Jos Buttler and Sam Billings were on the edge of putting England in a safe position, he struck twice in an over.

With 114 needed in a little less than 20 overs with just 5 wickets in hand, it should have been India A’s game. But all rounder Liam Dawson showed great character and maturity as he played an ideal fiddle to Billings. The duo got England near the target and despite losing some late wickets, England got home with more than an over to spare.

Nevertheless, the game offered plenty positives for India, with MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh’s half centuries highlighting everything else.

Below, is the video of Dhoni’s last few moments in his captaincy career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPFvapZA8cT0eF-4086TWg5rDnw-m7p1R8mpws0/

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