England have been beaten by India in the second One Day International (ODI) fixture between the two teams, played at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi, India on January 15, 2013. India now square the series after England took the first game. Ravindra Jadeja took the game away from England with a match-winning 61 off 37 deliveries, which he followed up by taking 2 wickets for 12 runs off his 7 overs.
Finn and Dernbach, the England pace bowlers made early inroads into the Indian battling lineup, claiming Rahane and Gambhir cheaply, reminding India that the visitors have been dominant throughout the tour so far. Suresh Raina did make a handy 55 after dragging a Finn delivery onto his stumps. This was where the game started to change.
After Raina’s departure Indian captain MS Dhoni put on a brilliant batting display with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni scored 72 runs off 66 balls to add to Jadeja’s 61, leading India to 285 at the end of their 50 overs. India got off to a good start with the ball, as newcomer Shami Ahmed got lucky with a wide delivery that Ian Bell had a go at, only to find himself caught behind for 1. Pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar turned the game in India’s favor, claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs, with R. Ashwin taking 3 wickets for 39 runs in 7 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged Player of the Match. Both teams now look forward to their next fixture in the 5-match ODI series, which has all the makings of a thriller.
