Ist Twenty20:
Manchester, It was Kuldeep Yadav’s brillaint 5/24 and Lokesh Rahul’s magnificent century that helped India beat hosts England by 8 wickets here in the three match T20 series on Tuesday.
India are now lead 1-0 in the three match Twenty20 series.Chasing a target of 160 runs to win India made 163/2 in 18.2 overs with 10 balls remaining.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to field putting in hosts to bat.England scored 159/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Openers Jason Roy and Buttler steadied England innings, but lost wicket of Roy in the 5th over after being bowled out by Umesh Yadav. Roy’s 30 came off in 20 balls hitting 5 fours.
Buttler kept the scoreboard ticking but after scoring brilliant 69 off 46 hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes he throwed his wicket in the 18th over to Kuldeep Yadav.
After Buttler’s departure middle order batting line-up failed to contribute except for Willey who contributed a useful 29 off 15 hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes remained not out.
For India Kuldeep Yadav was star bowler picking up 5/24, while Umesh Yadav took 2 wickets and Hardik Pandya claimed one wicket.
India quickly lost opener Shikhar Dhawan at score of 5 in the very first over after being bowled out by Willey.
After Dhawan’s departure, Rohit Sharma 31 (29) and KL Rahul 89 (42) played cautiously giving no room for England bowlers building a partnership for their second wicket taking score to 123 runs.
Rohit Sharma who was caught off by Morgan in Rashid’s spell at score of 32 off 30 balls Rohit hit 3 fours and a six.After Rohit’s dismissal skipper Virat Kohli 20 (22) and Lokesh Rahul 12 (12) added 33 runs for the third wicket partnership.
Both Virat and Rahul reamined not out and guided India towards victory. Virat scored 20 off 22 hitting one six while Rahul made brilliant century 101 off 54 balls hitting 10 fours and five sixes.
