ICC World Cup 2019 Match No 38 Played on 30 June at Birmingham
England Vs India
Brief Scorecard: England 337/7 (JM Bairstow 111 BA Stokes 79, JJ Roy 66, JE Root 44, M Shami 5/69, JJ Bumrah 1/44, K Yadab 1/72, Chahal 0/88, Pandya 0/60) beat India306/6 (RG Sharma 102, V Kohli 66, HM Pandya 45, MS Dhoni 42*, R Pant 32, LE Plunkett 3/55, CR Woakes 2/58) by 31 runs
Player of the match: Jonny Bairstow
DHAKA: Entire population of greater British India (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and also New Zealand wished and cheered India winning against England yeste5rday at Birmingham. At 4/226 in the 40th over with 102 runs required in the last 10 overs India had opportunity to go for a win. MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya have won India many matches from such position in the past batting in T20 mode. But for reasons best known to team India they played safe letting England win the match by 31 runs.
This win saved England from a possible elimination with 10 points from 8 matches. Their fate will now be decided in the last match against New Zealand which also has 11 points from 8 matches. This has made the opportunity of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka narrower. With this loss of India no team remains unbeaten in World Cup 2019. England scored impressive 337/7 batting with positive intent. India replied with 306/6. India has matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. With 11 points from 8 matches India is not yet sure of its position for the semi final. Sometime loss of winning momentum creates impediments. India must not take Bangladesh or Sri Lanka for granted. Few teams may end up at 11 points.
This England India match for many reasons created lot of heat and excitements. Circumstances was such that Indian win would keep the interests of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even New Zealand alive. On the other hand it could make the qualification of host England cloudy and uncertain. India has just overtaken England as the top ranked ICC team in ODI ranking. England did not beat India in World Cup since 1992. Entire population Indian sub continent and New Zealanders were wishing an Indian win. Even though desperate England winning a good toss and batting aggressively posted an impressive 337/7. But on that easy paced wicket India created circumstances for chasing and winning. But the intent and eagerness was curiously missing. At 4/226 in the 40th over with players so much used to IPL T20 mode and a great finisher MS Dhoni there India opted to play safe. England was let off the hook raising genuine doubts and confusion. While England blasted 13 huge sixes India stuck only one and that too in the 50th over .India had many six hitters.
However, we must not take away any credit from the way openers Jonny Bairstow and JJ Roy produced an excellent opening partnership of 160 runs in 22.1 overs. Bairstow batting like a champion produced an innings of excellence 111 in 109 balls with 10 fours and 6 huge sixes. JJ Roy returning from injury was equally enterprising with his 66 in 57 deliveries striking 7 fours and 2 sixes. England kept the momentum going win Ben Stokes blasting 79 in 54 deliveries. JE Root also contributed 44. Indian bowlers excepting Shami and Bumrah were taken to cleaners. Chahal, Yadab and Pandya in their 30 overs were butchered giving away 222 runs. Shami bowled with pace and subtle movement taking 5/ 69.
The wicket did not have any venom. However, KL Rahul was gone very early in the third over. Two of the top batsmen of the world redoubtable V Kohli and enterprising Rohit Sharma took some time to set their roots. But once they settled they started toying with English attack. The 138 runs second wicket partnership kept India very much in the game. Rohit getting a reprieve by Root off the bowling off Archer was in his cracking best. His 102 set a solid platform for Indian middle order to launch. Kohli once more failed to convert his great start to something substantial getting out at 66. When these two were together the target was in sight.
India introduced talented youngster Rishab Pant in the match recognizing his aggressive batting. He was looking good in his brief innings of 32. India was 4/226 in the 40th over when Pant got out. India required scoring 102 in the last 10 overs with 6 wickets at hand. India has won many such matches against major opposition in the past where specialist finisher MS Dhoni featured. Most of the Indian batsmen are so much used to T20 mode. But for reasons best known to team India there was no intent or eagerness to win. Even the friendly fire of Adil Rashid was defended. India crawled to 306/6 when match curtain was drawn. Reluctant to win India let England safe passage.
ENGLAND HAD A GREAT ESCAPE. THE FATE OF OTHER TEAMS Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand got complicated. It could not be ascertained whether team India implemented ICC design or not.
We are sorry to mention that many incidents in this ICC World Cup 2019 does not appear fair and transparent.
BDST: 0945 HRS, JUL 1, 2019
SI
