India vs England 2013: Rajkot ODI - As it happened...

Zeenews Sports Bureau

SCORECARD» |COMMENTARY» | MATCH REPORT» Also have a look at the Batsmen to watch out for» ALSO READ: Not a Happy New Year for Tendulkar fans» Nasir Jamshed – Pakistan’s next Saeed Anwar» INDIA: Overs: 50 II Score: 316/9 (Kumar 20*, Sharma 7*) So no repeat of the 2002 Lord’s here at Rajkot as England seal the match by nine runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series. Thanks to those final two overs in which England collected 38 runs, they have defeated India in this high scoring contest. Samit Patel's 44 (20b, 4X6, 6X1) have made the difference. It was an even contest on a pitch tailor-made for batsmen as both the teams’ top order were among runs barring India’s Virat Kohli. For India, the batsmen were off to a good start but they ended up giving their wickets tamely. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 48.5 II Score: 307/9 (Kumar 18*, Sharma 0*) OUT! Bowled him! Ashoke Dinda has been cleaned by Tim Bresnan as the ball crashes on the middle stump. He scored 3 (4b). In comes Ishant Sharma. India need 19 runs. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 47.3 II Score: 297/8 (Kumar 13*, Dinda 1*) OUT! R Ashwin has been dismissed by Steve Finn as India lose their eight wicket! He scored 13 (8b, 4X2). Finn bowled one short and slow and Ashwin went after it, attempting a pull. The ball took an edge and Kieswetter completed the formality as Finn collected his first wicket in his final over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 47 II Score: 292/7 (Ashwin 9*, Kumar 11*) At this same stage England were 279/7. They collected a cool 46 runs from the final three overs of Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar that took them to 325/4. Can Ashwin and Kumar replicate Kieswetter and Patel? ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 46 II Score: 281/7 (Ashwin 8*, Kumar 1*) R Ashwin scores a boundary through backward point region with a timing that would shame a top order batsman. Eight runs from the over. At this stage, England were 266/4. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 44.5 II Score: 273/7 (Ashwin 1*, Kumar 0*) OUT! Dernbach is having the last laugh after being plundered for plenty. He has removed Ravindra Jadeja who was bowled after going for a pull. The ball took an inside edge and crashed on the stumps as India lost their seventh wicket. He scored 7 (9b). In walks Bhuvneshwar Kumar. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 44.2 II Score: 271/6 (Jadeja 4*, Ashwin 0*) OUT! Jade Dernbach, who has been at the receiving end so far, has removed India captain MS Dhoni who was looking increasingly dangerous hitting those big sixes. He bowls a slower one and Dhoni uses his brute force to the fullest as the ball falls into the safe hands of Joe Root at long off. He scored 32 (25b, 6X4). In comes R Ashwin. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 44 II Score: 268/5 (Dhoni 32*, Jadeja 4*) Dhoni hits his fourth six and 150th overall of his career as he takes charge of the chase with his CSK teammate Ravindra Jadeja by his side. It was a full delivery and Dhoni cleared his front foot to deposit it over long on boundary for a biggie. 12 runs from Bresnan’s third over. India need 57 from 36 deliveries. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 43 II Score: 257/5 (Dhoni 25*, Jadeja 1*) Dhoni on a rampage as he smokes Patel for two huge sixes! The first one was hit straight over bowlers’ head over long on and the next was a one-handed hit over deep midwicket. 14 runs from the over. India will need more of such hits if they have to sail home comfortably. They need 69 runs off 42 deliveries. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 41.4 II Score: 243/5 (Dhoni 12*, Jadeja 0*) OUT! Tredwell strikes again! He has removed Suresh Raina after the southpaw lobs an easy return catch to the offie. He scored 50 (49b, 4X7). In comes Ravindra Jadeja. Earlier, Suresh Raina took a single and completed his 25th ODI fifty. Dhoni then swings it hard and deposits it over deep midwicket fence for a biggie. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 39.6 II Score: 231/4 (Raina 46*, Dhoni 4*) A big sigh of relief for Suresh Raina and the Indian team as a low catch taken by Bresnan off Finn is adjudged not out. Had it been out, India would have suffered a serious setback to their chase. Raina went played one that went to third man region and Bresnan came charging in and took a low catch. Raina stood his ground and the umpire went for the TV replay. Replays showed that the ball had touched the ground as Bresnan rolled over after gobbling it low. The fielding team, as expected, is shocked. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 39 II Score: 228/4 (Raina 45*, Dhoni 2*) Raina hits Dernbach for two consecutive fours off the final two deliveries to move into the 40s. 10 runs from the over. India need another 98 runs from 11 overs. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 34.4 II Score: 198/4 (Raina 18*, Dhoni 0*) OUT! James Tredwell has given the Indian team a huge blow by having Yuvraj Singh caught by Jade Dernbach at short fine leg. He scored 61 (54b, 4X8, 6X1). In comes skipper MS Dhoni. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 32 II Score: 190/3 (Yuvraj 56*, Raina 15*) Raina joins the merrymaking as he scores two boundaries off Joe Root. The first one was a full toss that went to midwicket boundary while the second came off a sweep to third man region. 12 runs came from the over. India need another 136 runs from 18 overs. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 30 II Score: 176/3 (Yuvraj 53*, Raina 5*) A sluggish effort in the deep from Patel gifted Yuvraj a boundary that brought up his 50th ODI half-century. Other than that, it was turning out to be a good over from Dernbach as he had given just a single off his first four deliveries. Five runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 29 II Score: 171/3 (Yuvraj 49*, Raina 4*) Yuvraj isn’t sparing anyone! Joe Root, who had been bowling a fairly good spell, leaked 10 runs off his eight over. Blame it on Yuvraj who spoiled his over with consecutive boundaries off the final two deliveries. The first one was sweep to wide of wide of third man while the next was again a sweep to wide of fine leg producing the same result. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 28 II Score: 160/3 (Yuvraj 40*, Raina 2*) At one end, Joe Root has reined in the Indian batsmen but the pacers are going in for a beating today. After hitting Bresnan for a six that came off a top edge to deep backward square leg off the last ball of the over in which he removed Kohli, Yuvraj continued with his fine touch hitting Dernbach for three boundaries. The first two were back-to-back behind square and to fine leg. The third one was a superb shot as Yuvraj used his wrists to send it to deep backward fence for a four. 13 runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 25.4 II Score: 138/3 (Yuvraj 27*, Raina 0*) OUT! Virat Kohli has been dismissed by Tim Bresnan. He scored 15 (22b, 4x1). His bad form with the bat continues as India lose their third wicket. It was full and outside off and Kohli, without any hint of a footwork , went after it and ended up edging it to wicketkeeper Kieswetter. In comes Suresh Raina. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 25 II Score: 136/2 (Kohli 14*, Yuvraj 20*) Kohli drills one past Joe Root for a boundary to long on fence in the 23rd over. Other than that, not much of action as far as scoring runs is concerned. England bowlers have kept them in check even as the RRR is climbing up. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 22 II Score: 119/2 (Kohli 5*, Yuvraj 13*) A boundary to fine leg as Yuvraj gets the thinnest of an edge on to his pads that goes past Kieswetter. Bresnan appeals loudly but umpire isn’t impressed even as Yuvraj raises his bat to indicate the edge. Six runs from the over ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 21 II Score: 113/2 (Kohli 4*, Yuvraj 8*) Yuvraj Singh breaks the shackles and hits Tredwell for a boundary over deep midwicket. Five more runs came in the over in the form of five singles. India need another 213 runs to win. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 20 II Score: 104/2 (Kohli 2*, Yuvraj 2*) The tweakers are doing a fine job of blocking the runs and creating pressure. Joe Root, playing in his debut match today, has done well in his five overs leaking just 17 runs. The value of these 30 deliveries is multiplied when you take into account the batting conditions at Rajkot. India will have to found boundaries regularly and keep the scoreboard ticking. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 18.4 II Score: 102/2 (Kohli 1*, Yuvraj 0*) OUT! Tredwell strikes again! This time he dismisses Gautam Gambhir to send both the Indian openers back in the dressing room. Gambhir scored 52 (52b, 4X7). Tredwell floats one in the air and Gambhir charges down the track, chipping it to midwicket region where Bell takes a simple catch to put an end to his stay at the crease. In comes Yuvraj Singh. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 18 II Score: 100/1 (Gambhir 51*, Kohli 1*) Gautam Gambhir has completed his 34th ODI fifty in 48 deliveries. A much needed half-century for the southpaw as he has been found struggling in the recent matches. Just three runs from Root’s fourth over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 16.4 II Score: 96/1 (Gambhir 47*, Kohli 0*) OUT! Tredwell strikes for England snaring Ajinkya Rahane. He scored 47 (57b, 4X6). Rahane must be kicking himself as he has squandered a ripe chance to lay his claim for the opening spot by tamely lofting Tredwell to long off where Derbach gladly accepts a simple catch. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 15 II Score: 89/0 (Rahane 41*, Gambhir 47*) Spin in James Tredwell and Joe Root currently in operation for England from both ends. The duo has done well to stem the flow of runs. Gambhir, chipped Tredwell in his second over for a boundary to midwicket region. India are off to a strong start as they chase England’s target. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 11 II Score: 69/0 (Rahane 32*, Gambhir 37*) Right-arm offbreak James Cullum Tredwell introduced into the attack. His first over produces three runs. Off the three runs, one was a couple and England appealed for a run out as Gambhir played one to deep backward square leg and came back for second. A TV replay confirmed his bat was well inside the crease before Kieswetter dislodged the bails. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 10 II Score: 66/0 (Rahane 31*, Gambhir 35*) Steve Finn has changed ends and it’s showing immediate effects. His first (after switching ends) is a tight one as he leaks just a single. The next over, from Bresnan, produces five singles. The 10th from Finn is shaping up to be a tight one but for Gambhir who flicks him to deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. Six runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 7 II Score: 54/0 (Rahane 26*, Gambhir 28*) It seemed as this over from Bresnan would be the second over that India wouldn’t have scored a boundary off but Rahane glanced the last delivery of the over to fine leg for four. Before that boundary, six runs already came off it that included two couples and two singles. 10 runs from the over. 50 up for India. England took 10 overs to score 54. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 6 II Score: 44/0 (Rahane 19*, Gambhir 25*) Another boundary collected by Rahane as he cuts one to third man region. Six runs from the over. Alastair Cook has introduced Tim Bresnan into the attack. The duo has collected nine boundaries so far. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 5 II Score: 38/0 (Rahane 14*, Gambhir 24*) India are off to a flying start at Rajkot! Four boundaries came in Finn’s third over. Three off the bat of Gambhir and one from Rahane. The first three came off the first three deliveries towards deep square leg and third man region. The last one was scored by Rahane as Finn strayed to leg and the batsman played it fine to make it 17 runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 4 II Score: 21/0 (Rahane 10*, Gambhir 11*) A boundary each for Rahane and Gambhir in the over. The first one scored by the southpaw via an edge that flies over slip cauldron for a boundary. The second, by Rahane, was a pull to deep midwicket off a short one. Nine runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 2 II Score: 10/0 (Rahane 5*, Gambhir 5*) Jade Dernbach joins Finn from the other end to share the new ball as struggling Gautam Gambhir takes guard for the first time in this match. He begins positively scoring a boundary off his first ball to fine leg. He then rotates the strike with a single. Rahane keeps the strike with a single off the final delivery. Six runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 1 II Score: 4/0 (Rahane 4*, Gambhir 0*) Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir will open the innings for India as Steve Finn warms up to begin proceedings for England. Finn, as he often does, disturbs the bails off his knees at the non-strikers’ end. Off the next delivery, Rahane opens his account with a boundary down to fine leg region. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND INNINGS ENGLAND: Overs: 50 II Score: 325/4 (Kieswetter 24*, Patel 44*) England have finished their innings brilliantly taking 64 runs from the final five overs. The last over of the innings also proved to be a productive one for them as they collected two boundaries and a six in excess of a couple and a single making it 18 runs from it. India need 326 runs to win this ODI. After a brief lull in the early 40s, they have come all guns blazing to post quite a challenging total on this batting friendly track. They had an excellent opening partnership in Bell and Cook and afterwards a handy contribution from KP, Morgan and a late charge from Patel and Kieswetter powered them to 325/4 in 50 overs. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 49 II Score: 307/4 (Kieswetter 23*, Patel 27*) Sharma has been taken to the cleaners in his final over!!! 20 runs from his over has taken the English score past 300-run mark. Three boundaries- two by Patel and one by Kieswetter – and a biggie off the last delivery by Kieswetter over extra cover region make this the most expensive over of the innings so far. The partnership has crossed 50-run mark in no time. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 48 II Score: 287/4 (Kieswetter 12*, Patel 18*) Eight runs from Kumar’s sixth over. Two of them came in wides while the rest in four singles and a couple. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 47 II Score: 279/4 (Kieswetter 10*, Patel 14*) An expensive over from Sharma as he leaks 13 runs. Patel pulled a short one from him and scored a boundary off his first ball to deep backward square leg region. Kieswetter then read a slower one from Sharma to perfection and swung it over long on boundary for a six. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 46 II Score: 266/4 (Kieswetter 4*, Patel 7*) There are two new batsmen in the crease and England need some big hits if they have to post something in proximity to 300 runs. Risks can be taken as they have still six wickets in hand. The last over from Sharma produced six runs – it could have been better had he not bowled two consecutive wides down the leg side. In the next over, bowled by Dinda, Patel took the aerial route and lofted his first delivery over mid off for four. The next five produced just a single. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 43.5 II Score: 255/4 (Kieswetter 2*, Patel 0*) OUT! Ashoke Dinda picks his second wicket in Kevin Pietersen who was caught by Virat Kohli at long off after the fielder ran in completing a good low catch. It was a straighter one from Dinda and Pietersen lofted it powerfully but couldn’t get it to go the distance. He scored 44 (45b, 4X4, 6X1). In comes Samit Patel. India pulling things back. Will they be able to restrict England under 300 runs? ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 43 II Score: 251/3 (Pietersen 41*, Kieswetter 1*) Ravindra Jadeja ends his quota of 10 overs with another good over giving away just three in his final. His figures: 10-0-46-0. The current run rate is 5.83 ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 41.6 II Score: 248/3 (Pietersen 39*, Morgan 41) OUT! Ashoke Dinda takes a nice catch off his own bowling to end Morgan’s innings. A slower one from Dinda and Morgan wasn’t able to reach the pitch of the delivery as he ended up playing straight to the bowler who gobbled it with both his hands and fell down in the process. The umpire and Morgan waited for the TV replay and it turned out to be a clean catch. In walks Craig Kieswetter. He scored 41 (38b, 4X4, 6X2).If the 41st over of the innings from Jadeja produced just four runs, Morgan made up for it by hitting a six (first ball) over long off, a four to long on (second ball) off the next. However, a good catch by Dinda later in the over ended his charge. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 40 II Score: 232/2 (Pietersen 36*, Morgan 28*) Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen have stepped on the accelerator and are hitting boundaries at regular intervals. Peitersen creamed Ashwin’s ninth over for 13 runs including a six straight down the ground and a four through extra cover region. In the next over, bowled by Sharma, Morgan hit him for consecutive boundaries through cover and backward point region. Off the penultimate delivery, he lofted him over midwicket region for his first six of the innings taking the spoils from the over to 15 runs. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 38 II Score: 204/2 (Pietersen 22*, Morgan 14*) Kevin Pietersen scores two boundaries off Sharma’s sixth over. The first one was pulled over Ashwin at mid on while the next was hit straight down the ground and Ashwin’s clumsy effort couldn’t stop the ball from crossing the fence. Meanwhile, the score has moved past 200-run mark. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 35 II Score: 188/2 (Pietersen 11*, Morgan 9*) A boundary each from the overs of Jadeja and Raina. The first, by Pietersen, came in the over of Jadeja off the final delivery of the 33rd over through covers. The next, by Morgan, came off the penultimate delivery of the34th over through cover point. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 31.1 II Score: 172/2 (Pietersen 2*, Morgan 0*) OUT! Raina is delighted as Alastair Cook has been dismissed after being caught at short fine leg by Ajinkya Rahane. He scored 75 (83b, 4X11, 1X6). Eoin Morgan in the new batsman in the middle. Flat and outside off, Cook goes for a sweep but gets a top edge that ends up tamely into the hands of Rahane as India get another wicket. Both the set batsmen in the hut and India can now put pressure on the visitors. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 30 II Score: 167/1 (Cook 73*, Pietersen 2*) Cook, unaffected by the dismissal of his partner, skips out and plays an inside out shot over extra cover region for a boundary off Raina to move into the 70s. Indian team need to target KP who is new at the crease. England, on the other hand, will be looking to not pull back from the scoring rate, suspending the charge for later overs as they have plenty of wickets in their hands. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 27.4 II Score: 158/1 (Cook 68*, Pietersen 0*) OUT! Finally some relief for the Indian team as Ian Bell has been dismissed after being run out. He scored 85 (96b, 4X9, 6X1). Cook plays one to short fine leg and after a slight hesitation, the duo set off for a quick single. Rahane is quick off his feet and his throw as sharp as a needle that disturbs the bails well before Bell could make his ground at the strikers’end. In comes Kevin Pietersen. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 27 II Score: 157/0 (Cook 68*, Bell 84*) Change of bowling from both the ends as part-timers in Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli introduced into the attack. Raina’s first produces just three while Kohli’s first nine – including a boundary to fine leg. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 25 II Score: 145/0 (Cook 66*, Bell 74*) Ashoke Dinda is having some problems in the middle. In an otherwise fine over, the pacer has bowled two no balls. However, the second one looked a bit harsh from the umpire as the foot was just behind the line. He however, managed to keep the batsmen quiet off the free-hit deliveries. Seven runs from the over. So, halfway down the innings, the match is in the grip of the visitors. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 24 II Score: 138/0 (Cook 63*, Bell 72*) After a good start to the innings one a batting friendly track and outfield, England will be looking to up the ante and lay the foundation for a big total. It’s Cook who has shown an aggressive intent as he lofts Ashwin for a six over long-off after stepping out of his crease. He then picks up a short ball early and pulls it to midwicket region for a four. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 20 II Score: 112/0 (Cook 50*, Bell 59*) Alastair Cook attempts a sweep and top edges it to deep backward square leg where it falls well short of Dinda as he takes a single to reach his 14th ODI fifty. Off the previous delivery, he lofted Ashwin over mid off for a boundary. Seven runs from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 19 II Score: 105/0 (Cook 45*, Bell 57*) Change of bowling as Dinda comes back. Cook, gives him a cold reception with a boundary off the first delivery through extra cover. This boundary brings up the 100 runs. The next is a dot ball. The third one is a poor stuff and Cook cuts it for another boundary. A breather for India as drinks have been called in. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 18 II Score: 97/0 (Cook 37*, Bell 57*) Cook is getting better and better with the passage of overs. He has hit two boundaries off the two overs from Ashwin and Jadeja. The first one came in Ashwin’s over via a sweep to deep square leg region while the second came in third man region in Jadeja’s over through a reverse sweep. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 16 II Score: 82/0 (Cook 25*, Bell 55*) Ian Bell reaches his 24th ODI fifty with a reverse sweep to third man for a boundary. Eight runs from the over – a boundary, a couple and two singles. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 15 II Score: 74/0 (Cook 24*, Bell 48*) Four singles from Ashwin’s third over – two each to Cook and Bell. Bell is now just a couple away from his fifty. The tweakers have slowed down the pair. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 14 II Score: 70/0 (Cook 22*, Bell 46*) Ravindra Jadeja bowls one outside off and Ian Bell lofts him over extra cover for the first six of the innings. Jadeja, playing at his home ground comes back and his next five are dot balls. Just a six from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 10 II Score: 54/0 (Cook 19*, Bell 33*) Ashoke Dinda comes in to bowl his first over. Dinda bowls one straight and Cook flicks him to midwicket region for a boundary. Seven runs from the over – two wides, a boundary and a single. England have crossed the 50-run mark in the first 10 overs. Spin in R Ashwin introduced. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 9 II Score: 47/0 (Cook 14*, Bell 33*) Bell looks in fine touch as he hits Kumar’s final two deliveries for consecutive boundaries to long off and through extra cover region. 10 runs from the over – all to Bell. The previous over by Sharma was a maiden -- his second of the day. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 7 II Score: 37/0 (Cook 14*, Bell 23*) Ah! This should hurt the bowler! Umpire Steve Davis turned down a pretty close appeal for lbw off Kumar and after failing to pull one, Bell drove him through covers for a boundary off the fifth delivery. Four runs from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 6 II Score: 33/0 (Cook 14*, Bell 19*) And Cook gets his first boundary. In fact, he has collected three fours from this Sharma over. The first one came off the first as Sharma dropped one short and wide of off stump that was dumped to sweeper cover fence. The next one came off an edge wide of first slip to third man fence while the last came off the final delivery via a cover drive. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 5 II Score: 21/0 (Cook 2*, Bell 19*) Edged and safe! Ian Bell edged one from Bhuvaneshwar that bisected the gap between Dhoni and 1st slip handing England a boundary. Five runs from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 3 II Score: 16/0 (Cook 1*, Bell 15*) Short and wide from Kumar and Bell latches onto it, cutting it fiercely through backward point region for four. Five runs from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 2 II Score: 11/0 (Cook 1*, Bell 10*) Ishant Sharma had impressed in the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan. He will partner Kumar from the other end. A rising delivery from Sharma and Bell smartly guides it to third man region for a boundary. A direct hit off the fifth delivery that stops after crossing the deep extra cover boundary hands England another five runs. Nine runs from the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Over: 1 II Score: 2/0 (Cook 1*, Bell 1*) Alastair Cook and Ian Bell have marched to the middle and will be licking their hands considering a belter of a pitch they have to bat on. The young sensation Bhuvneshwar Kumar has begun the proceedings for India. The wafer-thin medium pacer has caught everybody’s attention with his swing bowling and has time and again bamboozled batsmen early in the innings to give India early wickets. Just two runs from the first over – a single each to Cook and Bell. Interesting that MS Dhoni has excluded Shami Ahmed from the squad and instead included Ashoke Dinda. ==================================================================================== TOSS : England have won the toss and will bat first. After England humiliated India in the Test series, the action now shifts to the ODI series. India face England in the first ODI to be played at Rajkot. India have had a very tough time in all formats of the game and are under immense pressure to perform and get a few wins under their belt. The series loss to Pakistan has only added fuel to the already burning fire. Captain MS Dhoni needs to lead the team from the front and use his resources intelligently. It will be interesting to see the combination that the Indian team decides to go in with. England have had a fairly good run under captain Alastair Cook. England will be looking to erase the memories of the 5-0 loss they suffered last time they toured India. Cook, Pietersen and Bell will hold the key in the batting department and will be looking to make maximum use of the in experienced and often sluggish Indian bowling attack. India: Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda England: Alastair Cook(c), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Joseph Root, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter(w), Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, James Tredwell, Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach