1st T20: India romp home to an easy victory over England

India beat England by 5 wickets to complete an easy victory against a side which might have rested on its laurels of Test success. Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh dedicated the victory to the victim of the brutal gang rape. It was fitting on his part even as the victim recuperates. (Photo credit: BCCI)

The match begin with the Indian team having a huge monkey on their backs after Test loss at home. No comparisons between the formats but with the season just heating up and more shorter format games to follow, team needed to start afresh. (Photo credit: BCCI)

It all began well for the home side though as R Ashwin, who looked impressive and turned the ball to begin with, took Michael Lumb early on. England counter-attacked straight after though. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Alex Hales continued his impressive T20 record with a commanding 56 off 35 balls to rattle Indian bowlers after a decent beginning. Hales was out for a duck in his debut match, incidentally against India. Today he looked the part. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Luke Wright and Hales added 68 before the former was dismissed by Yuvraj Singh for 34. That is when the slide started and India got back into the game. From 89/1, England went to 100/4. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Yuvraj Singh then got Hales and the dangerous England skipper Eoin Morgan in his next over to give England the shocks. From a seemingly 180-190 total, it suddenly appeared much lesser. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Ashok Dinda chipped in with 2 wickets of his own to not let England put on a massive score. The debutant Parvinder Awana though might have learnt a lot with the thrashing he got. England set India 158 to win. (Photo credit: BCCI)

India began their chase on a brisk note on a flat wicket. Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir raced off to 42/0 in 4.3 overs. Rahane in particular looked to cash in on the conditions. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Gambhir did not last long neither did Rahane. Both were dismissed in the same over of Tim Bresnan after some madness. Mistimed pull shots were the order of the day and despite getting reprieves both persisted and perished. (Photo credit: BCCI)

England at that point did seem to challenge India but lacking quality of James Anderson, Graeme Swann or Monty Panesar, they never troubled Indian batsmen long enough. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Yuvraj Singh who had earlier bowled India into the match, now took charge while batting. His innings of 38 from 21 balls including an over of Danny Briggs that went for 18 runs, was the game changer and clincher. (Photo credit: BCCI)

By the time Yuvraj and then Kohli were dismissed, India just required run-a-ball to win. Skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina played with utmost confidence to guide the innings. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Dhoni played a typical steady innings while Raina did hit a few lusty blows. Raina was run-out at the fag end but India won with 13 balls to spare. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Even the security dog seemed happy and content in the captain cool's company after the match. Dhoni does bring in certain calmness and India will be looking to cash in on his attitude for further success despite the recent poor run of form. (Photo credit: BCCI)