Yuvraj Singh came up with a brilliant all-round show displays a comportable five-wicket victory over England in the first T20I in Pune.
Scorecard
Scorecard
Yuvraj picked three wickets for 19 from 4 Overs. Man of the match Yuvraj restricted England to 157 for six.
Set a target of 158, India began in roaring fashion through Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane. The openers rattled up 41 by the end of the fourth over as the host made full use of the Powerplay overs. But double strikes by Tim Bresnan (2/26) in the fifth over reduced India from 42 for no loss to 44 for two.
The turning point during India’s chase was the eighth over when Yuvraj launched into inexperienced left-arm spinner Danny Briggs hitting him for 18 runs which included two huge sixes over the deep mid-wicket region and a boundary. Yuvraj also got another six in the 10th over bowled by Luke Wright before being dismissed trying to hit a fourth six.
Yuvraj added 49 for the third wicket with Virat Kohli before his aggressive knock ended with Stuart Meaker converting a fine catch in the deep.
An over-ambitious Kohli gifted his wicket too, but a calm and composed Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took India close to the target. Though Raina was run out, India cruised home in the 18th over. It was India’s third victory against England in T20s.
Earlier, England made a poor start losing opener Michael Lumb (1) inside four overs but crucial knocks from Alex Hales (56) and Luke Wright (34) got the innings back on track.
Samit Patel (24) and James Buttler (33 not out) came up with valuable knocks that helped England put on a challenging total.
Yuvraj Singh showed his humane side as he dedicated his man-of-the-match award against England to the girl, who was gang raped and is now battling for her life in a hospital in New Delhi.
