India vs England 4th ODI, Highlights: India Clinch Series vs England, End 24-Year-Old Wait
Ajinkya Rahane's score of 106 and Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten 97 helped India beat England by nine wickets in the fourth game at Edgbaston. Catch complete highlights here.
Ajinkya Rahane's maiden century and Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten effort (97) helped India beat England and win a bilateral ODI series in England for the first time since 1990. (SCORECARD)
21.30 (IST): MS Dhoni: Considering the first game, our performance only got better.There is a tendency to relax after a win, but we only got better and today was a perfect game. The seamers bowled in the right areas and it was crucial because I thought it wouldn't turn much. The fast bowlers set it up, because they took wickets and when the spinners came the batting was under pressure. The openers, if they can face 10 to 12 overs, it gives us a platform. It was good to see Dhawan back in form. Rahane was always someone who was third in line for the opening slot and he has made the most out of it. He is a good timer which makes it slightly easy for him. It's a spot that suits him. Rohit is a very talented guy and we are not making any decisions on opening as yet. I feel a lot of credit goes to the seniors I played under and the youngsters.
21.28 (IST): Ajinkya Rahane, the man of the match: Feels really great when you get a 100 and the team wins. Credit goes to the bowlers as well for setting up the match. I was batting well after the first few games and I was focussing to stay there. Really happy for Dhawan, the way he batted was special. We just wanted to enjoy the game. It's a great challenge to open, you have to prepare your mind.
21.27 (IST): Alastair Cook at the presentation ceremony: We were going to bat first anyway. India certainly batted better, fielder better, and bowled better. It is always tough to lose three games in a row and in a manner that we lost. There is a World Cup a few months away and you have to show you are hungry. We just need to look at ourselves and improve. There is potential but we need to improve. Moeen batted very well. He was the only guy to have a good day today. We are pretty clear on the personnel we need, but if people do not score runs, or take wickets.. they certainly have the potential.. They need to turn up.
21.12 (IST): Ajinkya Rahane (106) and Shikhar Dhawan (97 not out) have orchestrated India's memorable series win in England, their first in 24 years. Chasing a modest total of 207, India cruised to a nine-wicket win with 19.3 overs to spare.
21.06 (IST): It's all over! India have won their first bilateral ODI series vs England in England since 1990.
20.55 (IST): OUT! Ajinkya Rahane is gone! He hits a waist-high full toss straight to Cook at covers. But he's done enough. India 183/1, 28.4 overs.
20.51 (IST): Hundred for Rahane! His maiden ODI ton! It has come off 96 balls. India need just 31 more runs to complete a historic series win in England.
20.44 (IST): What a performance this has been by India. What a way to turnaround from an abysmal Test series loss. Rahane has repaid faith of the selectors, Dhawan has shrugged off poor form in style as India are just 35 runs away from a historic series victory. India 172/0, 27 overs
20.37 (IST): India reach 151/0 with Rahane and Dhawan in the middle. This is India's highest opening partnership in ODIs vs England in England.
20.35 (IST): 150 is up for India. Rahane (88) and Dhawan (55) have given nothing away to Cook & Co. India just need 57 more runs to win off the remaining 25 overs.
20.22 (IST): Rahane is on a rampage here! He steps down the track against Moeen Ali and hits him for a straight six. India seem to be in a hurry to create history here. 133/0 in 21.2 overs.
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20.31 (IST) While Rahane and Dhawan are busy building a strong foundation for India's memorable victory, South Africa have succumbed to a 62-run loss to Australia despite Faf du Plessis' monumental effort of 126 runs.
20.18 (IST): FIFTY for Shikhar Dhawan! His 8th in ODIs. He gets it off 57 balls. India 127/0 in 21 overs.
20.15 (IST): While Rahane and Dhawan are dominating the on-field proceedings against England, the fans are doing it from the stands.
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20.00 (IST): Rahane and Dhawan have now taken India's total to 100 in 17.4 overs in reply to England's 206.
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19.55 (IST): FACTOID: India last won a bilateral ODI series in England in 1990. Back then, the tourists won both the matches in the two-match series- at Leeds (by six wickets) and Nottingham (by five wickets). In those days, ODIs in England were 55-overs-a-side. In the second and deciding match, England were asked to bat first and they scored 281. In reply, Mohammad Azharuddin scored an unbeaten 63 while Dileep Vengsarkar hit 54 to take India to a memorable triumph, with two overs to spare. Interestingly, India's current team director - Ravi Shastri - was part of the playing XI and claimed a wicket and scored 33 as an opener in the second match.
19.48 (IST): India are in cruise-mode at the moment. They have 84/0 in 15 overs with Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Shikhar Dhawan (33) looking flawless so far.
19.31 (IST): Back-to-back boundaries for Shikhar Dhawan off Chris Woakes. That brings up the fifty for India. They're cruising at the moment. India 53/0, 9.2 overs.
19.21 (IST): Rahane is in sublime touch here. He has hit five fours in his knock of 26 runs so far. India have quickly moved from 4/0 in 4 overs to 35/0 in 7 overs.
19.05 (IST): Rahane gets a move on, and how! He hits James Anderson for four boundaries in an over. India 20/0 (5 overs)
19.01 (IST): Indian openers Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan have started cautiously. India 3/0 (3 overs)
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18.55 (IST): Sprint king Usain Bolt, who is in India, revealed that his father stopped him from becoming a cricketer! Here are Yuvraj and Bolt 'taking on each other in a race'
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18.53 (IST): Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, South Africa have had a mini-collapse in their chase of 283 against Australia.
18.52 (IST): Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to bat as India begin their chase of 207.
18.26 (IST): It's yet another strong performance on the field from Dhoni's men. Mohammed Shami (3/28), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/14) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) kept England in check throughout. A late-order surge from Moeen Ali (67) helped the hosts just about get past the 200-run mark. A successful run-chase will give India their first bilateral ODI series win in England in 24 years.
18.08 (IST): England bowled out for 206! Shami cleans up Gurney in the last over to claim his third wicket.
17.54 (IST): OUT! Moeen Ali's blitz is over! He dances down the track to hit Ashwin for a six but misses the ball which crashes onto the stumps. ENG 201/8, 46.5 overs
17.44 (IST): OUT! Suresh Raina with a direct hit! Chris Woakes has to make the long walk back. England 194/7, 45 overs
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17.38 (IST): Moeen Ali brings up his 2nd ODI fifty off just 37 balls. He gets there with a six off Raina. England 180/6 in 42.3 overs.
17.30 (IST): England score 41/1 in the batting powerplay to reach 164/6 in 40 overs.
17.27 (IST): Shami strikes! He traps Jos Buttler in front of the stumps for 11. England 164/6 in 39.3 overs
17.20 (IST): Meanwhile in India, Yuvraj Singh does a Usain Bolt! Here's how!
17.13 (IST): England start the powerplay period well. Nine runs off Dhawal Kulkarni's over. ENG 132/5, 36 overs.
17.06 (IST): Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina have derailed England's attempt at recovery. England (118/5, 34 overs) need to start afresh with just 16 overs to go.
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17.01 (IST): Another wicket! Raina strikes this time! And he gets the well-set Joe Root! The England number four played one reverse sweep too many and the leading edge is taken comfortably by Dhawal Kulkarni. England 114/4 (32.5 overs)
16.52 (IST): England reach 104/4 in 30 overs. How much more can they add to the total in the final 20 overs?
16.47 (IST): OUT! The resilient Root-Morgan stand has been broken! Eoin Morgan (33) is gone, caught at leg slip by Raina off Jadeja. England 103/4 (28.2 overs)
16.37 (IST): England have 83/3 in 24 overs vs India. Australia have smashed 80 off the last six vs Steyn & Co. Same format, different approaches?
16.32 (IST): Root (26) and Morgan (18) have silently led the fightback. They've put on 50 off 90 balls. England 73/3 (22.3 overs)
16.27 (IST): England have crawled to 63/3 in 20 overs with Root (20) and Morgan (14) in the middle. Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack now.
16.21 (IST): Back-to-back fours for Eoin Morgan off Shami. That gets a rare cheer from the home crowd. England 58/3 in 18.3 overs
16.18 (IST): Fifty up for England with a wide from Mohammed Shami.
16.15 (IST): Back in England, MS Dhoni has turned to Ravichandran Ashwin for the first over spin. England 48/3 in 17 overs
16.13 (IST): Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, Australia's Mitchell Marsh has slammed Dale Steyn for three consecutive sixes!
16.06 (IST): England are in all sorts of bother. They've lost three early wickets and have struggled to get their innings going. England have never scored 200 against India after losing three quick wickets. Can they do it today? 44/3 (16 overs)
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15.52 (IST): Through slips and gully! Joe Root walks across the wicket and guides the ball between the first slip and gully. ENG 35/3 (12.2 overs)
15.35 (IST): GONE! Another wicket! Mohammed Shami strikes this time. Gary Ballance tries to flick a full ball but gets the leading edge which goes straight to Ajinkya Rahane at covers. ENG 23/3 (8 overs)
15.31 (IST): FOUR! Ballance times his straight drive to perfection off Shami. Much-needed for England. 21/2 (7.1 overs)
15.23 (IST): Mohammed Shami is into the attack now. He charges in well and concedes just one run in the over. ENG 17/2 (6 overs)
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15.20 (IST): OUT! Alastair Cook is gone now! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has his second scalp. TheEngland skipper tried to cut a delivery that was too close to his body and the outside edge carried to Suresh Raina at gully. ENG 16/2 (4.4 overs)
15.16 (IST): OUT! Alex Hales is gone! An excellent delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, that swung back into Hales after pitching outside the off and breached his defence. ENG 15/1 (4.1 overs)
15.09 (IST): Ajinkya Rahane with an excellent dive at covers to stop a certain boundary off Cook's bat. MS Dhoni loved that effort. He ran up to the youngster and patted his back. Excellent intensity in the field from India here. England 6/0 (2.3 overs)
15.05 (IST): Just two more runs from an impressive first over by Dhawal Kulkarni. England 6/0 (2 overs)
15.05 (IST): FOUR! Dhawal Kulkarni starts off with a juicy half-volley and Alex Hales drives it well through covers for a four. England 4/0 (1.1 overs)
15.03 (IST): Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts with a maiden over. England 0/0 (1 over)
15.01 (IST): Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts the proceedings for India. Alastair Cook and Alex Hales open for England.
14.57 (IST): Before the start of the Test series, Moeen Ali had three wickets in two Tests. He now boasts of 22 wickets in seven Tests. Ahead of playing in the ODI series, he has three wickets in four matches.
14.52 (IST): As for India, Dhawal Kulkarni makes his way into the ODI side at the back of exceptional domestic and IPL record. The 25-year-old Mumbai all-rounder has 1021 runs and 181 wickets in 58 First-Class matches.
14.49 (IST): Former England skipper Geoffrey Boycott said earlier that Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Joe Root shouldn't be part of the ODI side. The management seem to have taken one part of his advice. Ian Bell has made way for Moeen Ali.
14.46 (IST): While we wait for the start of the fourth India-England ODI, Australia's Phil Hughes has scored his eighth fifty against South Africa.
14:42 (IST): MS Dhoni: The pitch looks a bit sticky and there might be some help for the quicks. It may slow down later.
14:41 (IST): SQUADS
England: Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Harry Gurney
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Dhawal Kulkarni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami
14:40 (IST): England have made three changes in their playing XI. Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram say it is a sign of panic.
14:35 (IST): Toss! Mahendra Singh Dhoni wins toss and India will bowl first against England. Promising pacer Dhawal Kulkarni has been handed the ODI cap as he comes in for injured Mohit Sharma.
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1425 hrs IST: Breaking news - Dhawal Kulkarni given ODI cap in team huddle before the toss. He will make his debut today.
With the 2015 World Cup just a few months away, India's supremacy in the 50-over game has made Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co. as the No. 1 world team in ODIs once again. With emphatic wins at Cardiff and Nottingham - the first ODI at Bristol was rained off - India are seeking a hattrick of wins at Birmingham. It was here last summer that India won the ICC Champions Trophy beating England in a rain-hit final.
Nothing succeeds like success. Victory in the ODI series will somewhat heal the scars of the Test rout. But more importantly, the ODI series is giving India the chance to shuffle the batting line-up. Rohit Sharma's injury has allowed the team management to experiment with Ajinkya Rahane as an opener. The Mumbai lad scored an impressive 45. The Shikhar Dhawan-Rahane pair is worth trying out at Edgbaston.
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As Virat Kohli slowly finds his touch back - he scored a 50-ball 40 at Trent Bridge - Ambati Rayudu has been a revelation No. 4. Cardiff centurion Suresh Raina, of course, has been the team's fulcrum as India have won both setting and chasing targets.
But no match is won till the bowlers do their job. India have done well as bowling unit with both seamers and spinners coming to the party when needed. Ravindra Jadeja's four wickets at Cardiff and Ravichandran Ashwin's three at Nottingham have exposed England's allergy to spin.
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Interestingly, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews employed 30 overs of spin at Birmingham en route to routing England by six wickets not so long ago. England have won 19 and lost 12 out of 34 ODIs played at Edgbaston.
England captain Alastair Cook is under pressure again. He emerged from a massive crisis during the Test series but the defeats in the ODIs have provided fodder to the anti-Cook lobby. Cook's future in limited overs cricket is under threat and England coach Peter Moores says a lot of work remains to be done ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
Local lad Moeen Ali could make the playing XI on Tuesday. The Birmingham lad was a star in England's Test campaign and he may just provide the turn in fortunes that the hosts are looking for at this stage of the series. Ben Stokes could be carrying drinks today.