Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav claims 6-25 before ton-up Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli sizzle in 8-wicket win at Trent Bridge
Rohit Sharma pulls during his unbeaten 137 against England in the first ODI yesterday. Pic/AFP
When Indian skipper Virat Kohli put England in to bat in the first ODI at Trent Bridge here yesterday, there were fears the home team may bat India out of the match. The reason for that apprehension that England had posted 481 for six, a world record score in ODIs, last month against Australia at the very venue.
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And the way openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow began, putting on 73 in quick time, things looked ominous for India. That's the time Kohli introduced chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. And within a matter of a few deliveries, he ensured that England did not run away to a huge total.
Kuldeep bagged six wickets for 25, the fourth-best ODI bowling figures for India, to restrict the home team to 268, which was well below the par score, considering the high-scoring games the venue has witnessed in recent times.
Kuldeep Yadav celebrates an England wicket. Pic/Bipin Patel
With Rohit Sharma and Kohli in vintage form, putting on a huge stand of 167, India overhauled the total with eight wickets and XX balls to spare. Rohit got to his 18th ODI century with a six off Adil Rashid , his second ton in succession following one in the last T20I game, and as Kohli (75 from 82) struck his vaunted form, India did not face much challenge and now go into the second match at Lord's on Sunday with their nose ahead.
The India top-order batsmen did excel and won the match for the team with effortless batting, but the hero of the day was Kuldeep. After experiencing a torrid time in Cardiff T20I, he was benched at Bristol. But the Indian think-tank showed tremendous confidence in him and backed him to come good on a dry pitch with longer boundaries.
With his second delivery he accounted for Roy and in his following over he met with twin success, removing Joe Root and Bairstow to put India in control. He later got rid of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and David Willey, to cap an excellent display. With Yuzvendra Chahal and Umesh Yadav also bowling well, India bowled out the opponents inside 50 overs much to the delight of their supporters.
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