Ind vs Eng 1st ODI: Shikhar Dhawan silence critics with brilliant 98 in 1st ODI vs England – India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, 35, on Tuesday, roared back to form with a brilliant 98 in the 1st ODI vs England. After being dropped from the Playing XI T20, the Delhi-born answered his critics in a befitting manner. It is his 18th international hundred in the 50-over format.
Dhawan, who was opening with Rohit Sharma, after one long year, started cautiously. But changed gear to bring up his 50 in 70-balls. This is now his highest score vs England.
Ind vs Eng: India started cautiously
The Indian team was off to a safe start scoring 64/0 in the first 15 overs. The lack of heavy scoring was due to tight line and lengths bowled by England’s pacers Mark Wood and Sam Curran.
Wood was especially impressive early on with his speed and ability to get the ball to move a bit. Curran was more prodigious with swing and kept the batsmen honest with a good line and length. Both kept the scoring rate down in the first five overs, forcing Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to become more adventurous.
However, as the two bowlers’ spell went on, a few mistakes crept in with the length that allowed Dhawan to get a few boundaries under his belt. Even Rohit started to play more shots as his innings went on. Both batsmen hit three boundaries each with the Delhi batsman playing some delightful cut shots.
England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes proved to be the partnership-breaker again as he dismissed Rohit Sharma for 28 to end India’s 64-run opening partnership. The ball which got the Indian batsman out, though, was quite an ordinary one – short and wide which Rohit chased and edged, to be taken by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
The wicket fell on the first ball of the 16th over. While the wicket-taking ball may not be much to shout about, the pressure built on the Indian batsmen by previous bowlers may have played a part in forcing Rohit to play the loose shot.
Rohit scored 28 off 42. Shikhar went on to complete his half-century and is now looking set for another ODI ton. He is receiving great support from Virat Kohli who is looking sublime and has completed his fifty as well. The two have formed a 50-run partnership which has been quite harsh on the spinners. Dhawan last scored an ODI fifty in Australia during India’s ODI series there.
Ind vs Eng Playing XI
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), KL Rahul(w), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
England (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan(c), Jos Buttler(w), Ben Stokes, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Match: IND vs ENG, 1st ODI, England tour of India, 2021