Tag IndvEng-2011

4 July 2002, Indians had played their first game at Riverside ground in Chester-le-street. That day, after putting up handsome 285 on board riding on Sachin Tendulkar's century, visitors couldn't fetch a derserving win as rain ate up English chase..

3 September 2011, today, at same venue between same two teams, almost same script unfolded once again. here's how the story unfolded :-

The scores
India 274 for 7 wkts in 50 ovs.
England were 27 for 2 wkt in 7.2 ovs
Full scorecard : 1st Natwest ODI, 2011.

As it was a day game and clouds covered everywhere, both captains wanted to bowl first but MS Dhoni called wrong and Alastair Cook invited visitors in. Strangely, rookie opening combination of Parthiv Patel and Ajinkya Rahane had all the answers to pace attack of James Anderson, Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad who had destroyed visitors in the test series but failed to find any movement irrespective of helpful conditions. They were also guilty of not bowling fuller length. For first few overs, Patel and Rahane paid the respect and then started to open their arms. Outfield was damp and slow but Rahane, on debut, showed good back-foot skills while Patel continued to pull-hook medium pacers at will despite 3 fielders set at boundary. 82 runs between them from first 16 overs, Indians were off and running but a poor 3rd umpire decision against Rahul Dravid pegged them back.

Dravid was ruled not out by on-field umpire Billy Doctrove and there was no edge visible as the ball went through to wicket keeper, even on hot-spot but third umpire Marais Erasmus overruled the decision in favour of home team. It must be noted that sneekometer did show some sound but that's not being used to make decision in this series as it takes time to develop the feeds.

Parthiv was now joined by Virat Kohli who absorbed all the pressure and rotated the strike while left hander chances his arms and collected 12 fours in what would have been his maiden century in one day cricket, international or domestic. Patel's previous highest ODI score, in international matches, was 56 against New Zealand at Chennai in 2009.

Rohit Sharma was hit on little finger the first ball he faced and got retired hurt, inserting Suresh Raina little earlier than he would have liked. Raina cracked two sixes and added 60 runs with MS Dhoni to take Indians to a solid total.

England chase began cautiously as Praveen Kumar swung the ball and R Vinay Kumar held his line admirably. Breakthrough finally came in 3rd over when captain Cook chopped one onto his stumps and then Craig Kieswetter was trapped leg before wicket. Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell were on rescue mission when rain started to pour down and never really stopped. Umpires had no option but to call the match off as no result since minimum 20 overs haven't been bowled in second innings.

As many as 7 players were missing from the world cup final eleven that India won but it has to be said youngsters did stand upto the competition, but victory eluded them.