CHENGAI TIMES

4th ODI - IND Vs ENG

ROLLER COASTER TUSSLE ENDS IN A TIE
- By S.Ravichandran

With the tough task ahead of winning both the matches remaining to level the series 2-2, India took on England at Lord's, London on 11th September, 2011.

Once again England won the toss and decided to field, going by the trend in the series. Moreover this being a Day Match. England expected some early life in the pitch. There was indeed some help for the bowlers and the Indian openers struggled to score runs. However, India didn't lose wickets in the beginning and a partnership of 65 between Parthiv Patel and Rahane was quite handy. Rahane, who was a bit shaky, departed for 38 runs. Dravid joined Patel. Patel was out for 27 runs and Virat Kohli disappointed once again scoring just 16 runs. Dravid was the next one to go scoring 19 runs. India looked struggling at 110/4 when Raina and Dhoni decided to steady the ship, avoiding any further loss. Their partnership of 169 runs helped India reach a formidable score of 280/5. Raina was out for 84 runs while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 78. Swann and Broad scalped 2 wickets apiece for England.

England's chase was unimpressive with Kieswetter departing for 12, followed by Cook who was out scoring same number of runs. Trott made just 23 runs and England struggled at 61/3. But a useful partnership between Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara took the score to 159 when Ian Bell was out caught at deep trying to loft Jadeja for a four. Stokes who joined Bopara was trying his level best to get out and finally got out for 7 runs. Bresnan joined Bopara and took the score to 220. At this point Bresnan got out bowled by R.P.Singh. Swann who joined Bopara played beautifully when rain interrupted play. There was a high drama as the first interruption saw India leading D/L par score by 2 runs. However rain stopped and play continued. Just after one over from Munaf, another interruption came and this time England was leading D/L par score by 2 runs. Tension mounted among the crowd and among the viewers. Play continued once again. With the drizzle dropping steadily England had to be careful scoring runs off every delivery, at the same time not losing any wicket, to stay ahead of D/L par score. In the process they lost Swann who tried to steal a single and Ravi Bopara who tried to hit a boundary, caught at the deep by Ravindra Jadeja. Bopara was unlucky to get out on 96. At this point rain poured down once again and there was another stoppage of play. England needed 11 runs off 7 deliveries with 2 wickets remaining. With Stuart Broad being injured and his chances of coming out to bat being doubtful, India seemed to have the upper hand at this stage of the match.

Play did not resume after this and the umpires decided to declare the match as Tied as the England's score was exactly equal to the D/L par score which is 270.

A great match which fetched the best possible result as both the teams deserved to win the match for their excellent effort. However it was a disappointment for India as England won the series 2-0 with one match remaining.

India should now play for pride. They might very well play Varun Aaron and try to win the last match. Otherwise Dhoni and Company will have to return to India without a single win in the series.

3rd ODI - IND Vs ENG

INDIA FIGHT BACK AFTER EARLY COLLAPSE
BUT ENGLAND HAS THE LAST LAUGH
- By S.Ravichandran

3rd ODI between India and England was played at Kennington Oval, London on 9th September 2011. India needed to win this match to keep their chances alive in the series.

England won the toss and elected to field. India had a very poor start losing Rahane for a duck, Parthiv Patel, Dravid and Kohli getting out in single digit score. India were tottering at 25/4 and when Raina departed after scoring 21, India were 58/5. India seemed to get bowled out for a score of below 150. But Dhoni and the saviour Ravindra Jadeja flown in as a replacement did well to compile a very useful partnership of 112 runs. Dhoni scored 69 off 142 deliveries and Ravindra Jadeja's scored 78 off 132 deliveries. This pair brought some respectability to the Indian total. Ashwin's cameo of 36 runs off 32 balls helped India reach a competitive score of 234/7, considering the condition of the pitch. Anderson scalped 3/48 for England.

England chase was impressive with a opening partnership of 63 runs. Cook departed for 23 runs. Kieswetter blasted 51 runs. Bell and Stokes played well briefly but got out witout contributing much. The target was reduced to 218 off 43 overs due to rain interruption. Though England's target was reduced by 16 runs, they lost 7 crucial overs. However Ravi Bopara steadied the innings with the company of Bresnan. Even after their departure, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann kept their cool and reached the target comfortably with 7 deliveries remaining. Ashwin was the most successful bowler claiming 3 wickets. However Ravindra Jadeja, though on the losing side, was adjudged the Man of the Match for his excellent knock of 78 runs and his bowling effort which fetched him 2 wickets.

England lead the series 2-0 after 3 matches. Now India will have to win both the matches remaining to level the series 2-2.

2nd ODI - IND Vs ENG

POOR BOWLING IS A CAUSE OF WORRY

By S.Ravichandran

Having lost a great opportunity to go up 1-0 in the ODI Series, rain taking the credit this time, the Indian team was quite eager to win the 2nd ODI at Rose Bowl, Southampton. Unfortunately the rain made its entry right before the match. Match was delayed and was finally decided as 23 overs per side match, almost a T20 match.

England won the toss and decided to field. Parthiv Patel and Rahane opened the innings as usual. Stroking freely Parthiv Patel score 28 off just 18 balls and got out when the total was 30. Dravid joined Rahane and they built on a useful partnership. When the score was at 109 Dravid fell for 32. Kohli fell for just 9 runs, while Raina scored a brisk 40. Dhoni disappointed once again scoring just 11 runs. Manoj Tiwary who replaced injured Rohit Sharma didn't have much deliveries to prove his worth. India ended their innings with a challenging score of 187/8. Bresnan and Swann took 3 wickets apiece.

Needing 188 runs to win from 23 overs England had excellent start maintaining a run rate of around 10 right from the beginning. Kieswetter scored 46 for 31 balls. Bell and Bopara played well while the England skipper Alastair Cook stood like a rock at the other end and was unbeaten on 80 off 63 balls. England won the match comfortably by 7 wickets with 5 balls remaining.

Dhoni's search for the first win in the series continues and the weak bowling attack of India creates more pressure on the batsmen, as they have to score around 20-25 runs extra to make for their weakness in the bowling.