The Indian Captain Scores
Finally, Finally , Finally, runs have flowed from the bat of the Indian Captain, the white ball legend, Rohit Sharma. The Barabati Stadium eventually broke the ever-extending jinx in Rohit’s batting as the skipper reached a much awaited century in front of a packed Cuttack crowd, last night.
England Struggle To 304
England once again won the toss and elected to bat and once again made a mess of it. On a flat Cuttack pitch, England laboured and struggled before reaching 304 for the loss of all their wickets. Duckett and Root scored decent half centuries while Brook, Buttler and Livingstone got starts but could not capitalise. The Indian bowling once again was purposeful and got wickets when it really mattered. 305 to win was a good score but not enough on a placid track.
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A Scintillating Indian Response
As India responded, it was an exhibition of scintillating batting akin to two talented artists displaying their skills in unison. Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill were sublime and simply unstoppable.
A Brilliantly Sublime, Vintage Rohit
Rohit was the more aggressive one similar to the one we all wish to watch perform. He drove, and cut and pulled with great aplomb. His timing was exquisite and placements immaculate. His balance at the crease and while playing those lovely pulls and drives was near perfect. Rohit was a treat to watch as he pounded the English bowlers without exception for 12 fours and 7 sixes in his 90 balls, 119 runs innings. It was a big sigh of relief for the Indian Contingent before the Champions Trophy.
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A Mighty Impressive Gill
Shubhman Gill scored his second consecutive fifty and further underlined his credentials as a mighty impressive player particularly in the ODI format.
Axar-Iyer See India Home
Virat Kohli, unfortunately did not light up the stands and the hugely impressive Axar Patel ( 41* )and the in-form Shreyas Iyer( 44 ) ensured an easy Indian victory.
England Disappoint
England yet again were far from impressive and were no match for the Indian sude. Their middle order has been poor with Brook, Root and Livingstone not coming good when the team really needed them. The bowling too looked jaded and barring Adil Rasheed none of the bowlers including Jofra Archer posed any serious threat to the Indian batting. Instead they proved easy meat.
Another Series Win For India
With the Victory at Cuttack India wrapped up another series win at home and look set to pose a series challenge in the Champions Trophy coming up. It would be fair to say that India are the favourites to win another ICC Champions Trophy.
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