It is unlikely that a win in the 5-match one day international series would make up for India’s humiliating defeat in the Test, but still, it does give the long suffering Indian supporters something to cheer for. India won the 2nd ODI against England played in Cardiff, Wales, quite easily, by 133 runs. England were never in the contest and it was clear from the moment Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni got going that India would win and win big.
England have successfully chased a 300 plus score only once at home, and that win happened over a decade ago. So when India made a score of 304 in their innings, they could as well sit back and relax as there wasn’t much that an England team with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in the top 3 of its batting line-up could do. Cook and Bell are world class Test batsmen, but for ODIs, their strike rates are far too similar and in the lower range of the 70s. As Cook struggled to make just 19 off 33 balls before getting out, even when his team was in need of a quick start, England’s fate was almost fixed. There was no way they were about to get out of the muddle captain Cook placed them in, and it was only expected as the entire English team could manage a paltry 161 in response to India’s huge score.
India’s star of the day was Suresh Raina, who not only made his first ODI hundred in over four years, but also scored the fastest hundred by an Indian outside the subcontinent, taking only 75 balls to get to the triple figure mark. Raina has been under great pressure to hold on to his place after a string of disappointing scores, and so would be pleased as a punch with his effort. Dhoni played well as well, making a run-a-ball 51, giving Raina great support with the two Chennai Super Kings teammates putting on a brilliant 144 run partnership off just 17 overs.
India’s start wasn’t too great with Shikhar Dhawan once again getting out to a low score, and Virat Kohli continuing his horrendous run of form, getting out for a third ball duck, amazingly stepping out of the crease to Chris Woakes at the very start of his innings, only to be caught safely by Alastair Cook at mid-off. Kohli must be wondering exactly what he would have to do in this series to get a run, because they are not forthcoming, try hard as he might.
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane rescued the Indian innings from the early setback, and quickly took the score past 100, with a quick fire 91 run partnership. Rahane made an important 41 off just 47 before getting unfortunately stumped by wicketkeeper Joss Buttler off the bowling of spinner James Tredwell. Sharma carried on to make a half-century before getting out soon enough.
That brought Raina to the middle and he was simply outstanding on the day. There is a belief in world cricket that Raina is susceptible to the fast rising ball, and was hence subjected to a barrage of bouncers from the England pacers. But it was Raina’s day and he hardly ever looked troubled, smashing the England fast bowlers all over the ground, for 12 fours and 3 glorious sixes.
So India win this round, and with the first match at Bristol called off due to rain, lead the series 1-0 with 3 matches to go. The third ODI will be played at Nottingham this Saturday.
