This Day That Year: Historic World Cup match
After defeating Bangladesh in the opening match of the World Cup
2011, the hosts and visitors England were involved in a thrilling tie played at
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on 27th February.
The Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat
first. Virender Sehwag looked in explosive touch putting pressure on the
England bowlers right from the word go. A superb one-handed catch by Matt Prior
ended Sehwag innings. Sehwag and Sachin put on 46 runs for the opening wicket
to lay a strong foundation.
At the end of the first 10 overs, India made 58 for 1. After
the field restrictions, Gambhir and Sachin played with intent keeping the
scoreboard ticking. Sachin showed his class to complete his fifty off 66 balls
taking on the England bowlers. Gambhir complimented Sachin and kept the momentum
going reaching his fifty off 59 balls. After completing his half-century,
Gambhir was bowled by Swann. Gambhir and Sachin added 134 runs for the 2nd
wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar made the batting look easy and reached
century off 103 balls. He was eventually dismissed for a superb 120 off 115
balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes. MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh created another explosive
partnership putting on 69 runs for the 4th wicket. Yuvraj completed
his half-century off 46 balls. After the fall of Yuvraj Singh’s wicket, England
made a strong comeback to bowl out India for 338 in 49.5 overs.
Chasing 339 runs to win, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss
provided a flying start to the visitors. Munaf Patel struck getting rid of
Pietersen with a good return catch. At the end of the first 10 overs, England
raced away to 77 for 1.
Andrew Strauss made the batting look easy and completed his fifty-off 50 balls. Piyush Chawla got the breakthrough getting rid of Jonathan Trott.
Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell steadied the England innings with attacking strokes
putting Indian bowlers under immense pressure. Strauss led from the front and
completed his century off 99 balls while Ian Bell reached a half-century off 45
balls. Strauss continued aggressive intent making the batting look easy and
reached his 150 off 135 balls.
With the things slipping out of India’s hand, Zaheer Khan
got rid of both well-set batsmen of Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss. Strauss and
Bell added 170 runs for the 3rd wicket. The Indian bowlers made a
strong comeback into the game with wickets at regular intervals.
England needed 14 runs off the last over, the match went
down to the final ball. With 2 runs needed from 1 ball, Swann hit a single to
provide a thrilling encounter. This was the fourth tied match in World Cup history.
For his brilliant 158 off 145 balls, England captain Andrew
Strauss was named the man of the match award.
India 338 in 49.5 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 120, Yuvraj Singh 58,
Bresnan 5/48) tied England 338 for 8 in 50 overs ( Strauss 158, Bell 69, Zaheer
Khan 3/64, Munaf Patel 2/70)
This Day That Year: India and England in a thrilling tied match during 2011 WC match
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