Zeenews BureauCuttack, Nov 26: Invincible won’t be a miss-appropriate word for Team India at the moment. An experimental Team India played flawless cricket and ensured that they continued their winning spree. Chasing 271 for victory under lights, India ensured that their target was accomplished with 6 wickets and 38 balls in hand.
England bowlers failed to make any early in roads as Indian openers stuck to their task while chasing 271 for victory. Sehwag-Tendulkar pair added 136 when Tendulkar was dismissed after scoring yet another ODI fifty. Sehwag who kept the fielders busy at the other end was unstoppable before missing a Broad delivery at 91.
Yuvraj Singh who was in tremendous form throughout the series missed out with the bat. The stylish left-hander just managed 6 runs off the 9 balls he faced. Ravi Bopara took a simple caught and bowled chance as Yuvraj took the long walk back to the pavilion.
Earlier, Chasing 271 runs for victory against England, Team India started off the proceedings on a rather cautious note. Sehwag and Tendulkar opened India’s innings. Sehwag in particular was at his dashing best as Tendulkar somehow managed to keep his wicket intact at the other end. India managed to bring up its fifty in just 7.5 overs.
England’s Innings:
Led by Kevin Pietersen’s fighting century (111*) at Cuttack’s Barabati stadium, England managed to put a formidable total of 270 for India to chase. KP became the first English player on the tour to smash a century for the visitors. England who were looking to avoid a 7-0 whitewash against India, depended heavily on their bowlers to restrict India.
Pietersen was well supported by Owais Shah (66*) at the other end as the latter brought up his fifty in just 48 balls. The duo added a 100 odd runs partnership.
India got the desired breakthrough in the form of the wickets of Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff in quick time. The former scaled a skier that went into the hands of Zaheer Khan off Harbhajan Singh while the latter was claimed by Ishant Sharma.
England finally managed to break the batting jinx as the batsmen came handy with skipper Kevin Pietersen cracking a fine century. His efforts powered the visitors past the 150 run-mark at brisk pace.
Earlier in the day, Zaheer Khan sent tremors down the English batting line-up as he notched up another wicket in the form of Ravi Bopara. The batsman was caught easily by Yuvraj Singh at a score of 24 runs as the runs were scored freely by the visitors despite the hiccups.
Zaheer had struck the first blow earlier as he claimed the wicket of Alastair Cook. The batsman departed after scoring 11 runs as he thick edged an outside the off-stump delivery into the hands of Sachin Tendulkar at first slip.
TossIndian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first against England in the fifth ODI of the seven match series. With a 4-0 lead over the visitors, the Indians were looking to use the afternoon conditions to the fullest as the dew factor in the night hampers the spinners’ performance.
There were two big changes in the home squad as opener Gautam Gambhir made way for Rohit Sharma while Irfan Pathan came in as a replacement for Munaf Patel.
India (Playing XI): Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni(w/c), Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma
England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Ravinder Bopara, Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen(c), Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Samit Patel, Matthew Prior(w), Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Stephen Harmison