India Vs England ODI, Majestic Yuvi slams ton, propels India to 387/5

Earlier, India seemed to be moving into a position of having batted England out of the match when visitors got a double break as Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina sacrificed their wickets in their quest for quick runs in the power play. While Pathan could not even open his account before scooping a simple catch to Ian Bell of Harmison, Raina scored a 44 ball 43, striking 3 sixes in his cameo.

Undeterred by Sehwag’s demise, southpaws Yuvraj Singh and Raina had continued in the same vein, plucking runs at a brisk clip as India waltzed past the 200 run mark in the 32nd over. Their 89 run association came of just 77 balls, laying a firm foundation for a brutal slog over assault.

England spinner Samit Patel broke the 127-run partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, as he dismissed the former in the first One-Day International of the seven-match series at the Madhavrao Scindia Stadium.

Gambhir lofted one from Patel and it lacked the distance as he was caught at long-off by Owaish Shah for 51 runs. Indian openers gave a sensational start to their side as both - Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir - have raised fifties against England. Sehwag slammed two consecutive sixes off Paul Collingwood and raised 30th ODI fifty, his third against the tourists. Gambhir, on the other hand, got his eighth half-century in 59 balls with the eight fours. Not that his innings was any less aggressive but it was definitely more subdued as compared to his opening partner.

The Rajkot pitch looked seamer-friendly and England, electing to bowl first, wanted to capitalise on it but the Indian openers - Gambhir and Sehwag - deprived them of any such achievement for almost 20 overs.

Both teams take field with some inspiring wins from their recent series. While England beat South Africa sometime back, India thumped Australia in the Test series 2-0. But this series poses a different set of challenges to both the teams. England were thrashed 5-1 here on their last tour and they would want to turn the tables this time, but sub-continent conditions always test their skills.