2nd ODI: India hit back with a huge win

Tourists crumble in Kochi after home batsmen shine.

India outplayed England in their second One-Day International to post a 127-run win and level the series 1-1 at Nehru Stadium Kochi yesterday.

Batting first, the hosts amassed 285 for six with half-centuries from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. India’s bowlers did the remaining damage with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin picking up three wickets each and eventually bowling out England for only 158.

“Everyone performed well,” said Dhoni.  “We didn’t get a good start, the openers were finding it difficult until Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli gave us the platform. It seemed like a wicket that may flatten, we thought it will dry up and spinners may not get much turn. Relieved that I was wrong and our spinners got turn.”

England captain Alastair Cook said they had conceded at least a 100 runs in the last 10 overs.



“We were outbatted today,” said Cook. Those first ten overs we had a chance to get three or four wickets, we didn’t quite do that. Credit to India they put us under pressure.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.