India vs England: No repeat of 2002 NatWest Series final

England's Joe Root plays a shot to reach his century against India during the second ODI at Lord's in London on Saturday. Pic/AFP

It was a 2002 NatWest Series-like challenge for India all over again when they took on England in the second ODI a day after the 16th anniversary of the famous match at Lord's. England's score was almost similar, notching up 322 for seven. And India were down in the dumps at 154 for five. Now the question was will the history repeat itself or the home team will be able take the series to the decider in Leeds on Tuesday.

The latter half of the Indian batting could not reproduce the miracle which Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh had performed then, taking India home from 146-5, chasing 325, with two wickets and a ball to spare. Miracles are difficult to replicate, even a decade and a half later. The Indian batting was woeful, with opener Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina losing wickets to loose shots.

Other than that, the England bowlers kept up the pressure by taking wickets regularly. So much so, that the game was hopelessly one-sided for most part of the Indian innings. The crowd kept hoping against hope as MS Dhoni (37) lodged a valiant battle, as India fell well short of the target.

Kuldeep Yadav (left) celebrates an England wicket. Pic/PTI

India were eventually bowled out for 236 to lose by 86 runs. England captain Eoin Morgan had made a brave decision to bat first, allowing India their preferred option of chasing down a target. The home batsmen put up a much-improved display despite chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav rattling them early. However, Joe Root, who had not been able to fathom Kuldeep's spin, for once overcame the demons and posted his 12th ODI century to set India a huge challenge.

Root was circumspect to begin with after Kuldeep had accounted for an English batsman with his second ball of the game second match running. He castled a sweeping Jonny Bairstow and when he got rid of Jason Roy too. It seemed England would cave in again. But it was not to be as Root remained rooted to the crease right till the end, making 113 from 116 balls. He had two century partnerships, first with Morgan (53) and then with David Willey (50). These alliances ensured the home team got an upper.

The huge challenge India faced required at least one of the top four batsmen to get a big score. Or the latter half to flourish. But neither happened, taking second successive series into the decider. Kuldeep did take three wickets, but in the process gave away 68 runs in his 10 overs, a bit too expensive for comfort. Yuzvendra Chahal was the only bowler to go for under five an over on a pitch that was quite flat and that did not help India's cause.

10000
Number of runs MS Dhoni scored during his knock of innings of 37 against England in his 320th ODI on Saturday

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