Pune: India defeated England by five wickets in the first of the two Twenty20 internationals at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium here yesterday.
India achieved the target of 158 with five wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare.
Yuvraj Singh was the top scorer with 38 while Suresh Raina made 26.
After the humiliation in the Test series, Indian team saw a change in fortune in the shortest format to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
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.
Such was the impact of Yuvraj’s innings, the other Indian batsmen didn’t need to do anything special in order to reach the target.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina chipped in with useful contributions of 24 not out and 26 respectively. Dhoni hit Stuart Meaker for successive boundaries and then took a double to finish with flourish.
Credit should also be given to openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane as they helped the hosts race to 41 within the first four overs taking full advantage of the Powerplay.
While Gambhir hit three boundaries in his 16 while Rahane hit two sixes in his 19. Although they didn’t score many but they set the momentum.
The second and final T20 International will be played tomorrow.
England, captained by Eoin Morgan, made a blazing start with new opener Alex Hales making a whirlwind 56 in 35 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. AGENCIES
