Clinical again, hosts beat England by six wickets to go up 2-0 in five-match series with two to play
Ambati Rayudu slammed an unbeaten 64 as India relied on an all-round display to thrash England by six wickets in the third cricket one-dayer and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series here on Saturday.
Rayudu, who was drafted in place of an injured Rohit Sharma, stitched 87 runs with Suresh Raina (42) from 14.5 overs for the fourth wicket as India chased down the modest target of 228 with 42 balls to spare.
Ajinkya Rahane, who was promoted to opener’s slot, made 45 while Virat Kohli struck 40, his highest innings score of the tour so far, as Indian batsmen had an easy outing against a pedestrian-looking England bowlers at Trent Bridge.
Rayudu grabbed his chance of making it to the playing eleven with both hands as he scored his third half century in his 14th ODI. He hit six fours in his 78-ball unbeaten knock. Rayudu himself struck the winning runs -- a two -- off James Tredwell as India reached 228 for four in 43 overs to fashion a clinical win to the celebration of the Indians at the dressing room and seizable supporters at the stand.
Ravindra Jadeja was the other unbeaten batsman on 12.
The visiting batsmen played sensible cricket without taking much risks after their bowlers, led by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3/39), had put them on top by dismissing England for 227.
Shikhar Dhawan was the lone Indian batsman who did not make a substantial contribution in the match which saw home side paceman James Anderson being booed by Indian supporters.
Anderson was involved in an ugly spat with Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test at the same venue here. India had lost the five-match Test series 1-3.
The first ODI at Bristol was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rains. The remaining two ODIs of the series will be played at Birmingham (Sept 2) and leeds (Sept 5).
A change in partner did not bring about a change in fortunes — or indeed -- approach for Dhawan as he was recklessly out in the eighth over caught by Eoin Morgan at point off Chris Woakes.
Kohli then came to the crease and did not look an out-of-touch batsman. He hit James Tredwell down the ground for a straight six.
He looked in good touch despite his poor run of scores and added 50 runs for the second wicket with Rahane. The make-shift opener too was scoring at a fair clip and just when the two were looking comfortable, a wicket fell against the run of play.
It was Rahane who threw away his innings as he attempted to play a delivery from Steve Finn down to third man, only to edge it to keeper Jos Buttler.
It brought Rayudu to the crease and he added another 35 runs with Kohli for the third wicket without much fuss. Kohli, who had been looking good so far, suddenly found the fielder at mid-on as he tried to flick one from Ben Stokes.
Kohli could not believe that he had been just dismissed and even had a heated exchange with the bowler as he walked back. The in-form Raina then joined Rayudu at the crease and together they put on a sedate 87-run stand for the fourth wicket.
