Ind in Eng 2014: Series Ends with 3 runs loss in T20

The Indian tour of England ended with a defeat, but not a humiliating one which they were used to in Test matches and also incomplete series of 2011 visit. Statistics shows India lost by 3 runs chasing 180 as Dhoni managed 12 out of 16 runs required to win in the last over. Morgan and then Bopara made the difference adding 81 runs in the last 5 overs, while the likes of Raina, Dhoni, Jadeja and Rayudu – the IPL stars failed to get 45 runs in the last 5 overs despite being put in winning situation by Kohli, who finally showed his talent as his tormentor of the tour Anderson was not playing. England defeated India by 3 runs for the second time in T20 as they registered 5th T20 win over India in 8 matches overall.

India in England 2014: Schedule and Results

Dhoni Factor
He was there till the end, brought the margin of defeat to 3 runs only. But will you praise him?

Debutant

Gurney for England.
Rayudu and Karn Sharma for India.

Interestingly in 2011 England seires, Rahane and Dravid made debut. Today Rahane looks has found a place in Team India’s plan. But Dravid was a surprise debut. So is of Rayudu. Who would imagine that he has not played T20 internationals before?
Even for England, against India they got a good bowler in Dernbach. Today they got Gurney who had impressive figure of 1/29.
Alex Hales also made debut for England in 2011 series vs India. Interestingly, today he made a vital contribution.

Contrasting Scenarios
Morgan was on fire. But the score even in 17th over was only 130 runs. Bopara came and duly tried giving strike to Morgan instead of trying to be a hero right from ball 1.
Kohli was striking the ball better, Dhawan was also playing well. Both were making the chase look easier. But Kohli was doing the majority of hitting. Still Dhawan was more keen on hitting boundaries instead of rotating strike.

Statistics and Records

1. India lost the T20 top ranking to Sri Lanka due to the defeat.
2. 7 sixes by Morgan equalled the English record for one T20 innings set by Ravi Bopara earlier.
3. 81 runs by England in last 5 overs made India face such situation 2nd time in T20. Even the first time it came against England in 2007 World T20.
4. 4th consecutive T20I half-century for Virat Kohli.
5. New Indian record of maximum runs conceded in first over. Ashwin conceded 17 runs breaking the earlier record of 13 runs.
6. 4 catches by Rahane is the best ever by an Indian player in one T20 match. Sammy (West Indies), Borren (Netherlands), Anderson (New Zealand) and Chandimal (Sri Lanka) have achieved the world record feat before.
7. Player of the Match: Eoin Morgan

England Inning

Electing to bat first England were off to a flyer as Hales and Roy milked Ashwin for 17 runs in the first over. After that Jadeja and Karn Sharma slowed them down, and they could reach only 75/3 in 10th over. They were looking down towards a sub total around 140 runs when captain Morgan started attacking and his 31-ball 71 runs with 7 sixes and 3 4s and then Ravi Bopara’s 9-ball unbeaten 21 runs took them to 180/7.

Debutant Karn Sharma impressed the most with 1/28 although in his last over Morgan and Bopara hit him for 16 runs. Otherwise Ashwin (0/37), Mohit Sharma (1/39), Shami ((3/38) and Jadeja (1/35) were completely a T20 package of bowlers ready to be hit.

Indian Chase

Rahane (8) failed in the 2nd over as Moeen Ali continued to challenge India even in T20, with ball. Shikhar Dhawan (28-ball 33 runs) was again among runs but was taking extra risks instead of trying to let Kohli play more. Kohli (41-ball 66 runs) was relieved in the absence of James Anderson, who got him 8 times in 14 occasions during the Test and ODI series. But, even he was guilty of over speeding as if there was some net run rate to gain by winning quickly. Or may be he was too confident that his remaining batsdmen can easily score 50 odd runs in more than 5 overs. He wasn’t aware that Raina (20-ball 25 runs) and Dhoni (18-ball 27 runs) would suddenly find the pitch very difficult to score runs. India overall could score 3 runs less, 177/5.

For England three bowlers were exceptional. FInn (1/28), debutant Gurney (1/29) and spinner Tredwell (0/28). Moeen Ali (1/31 in 3 overs) and Woakes (1/43) were expensive.