England level the ODI series with a record chase against India!

England won the 2^nd ODI against India at Pune to level the ODI series 1-1. This was England’s highest successful chase against India in ODI cricket history. The last ODI will be played on Sunday- 28^th March.

ALSO READ: Team India score 336-6 in 50 overs

Chasing 337 runs to win – England walked in with a historic record of just 266 runs being their highest successful chase against India. That was way back in 1974 in India’s first ever ODI match.

The opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow put yet another 100 partnership before Roy was run out in a mix up between wickets for 55 runs in 52 balls with the team total at 110-1 in 16.3 overs. Bairstow brought up his half century with a six in 45 balls.

Ben Stokes walked into bat at No.3 yet again and put on a scintillating partnership of 175 runs in just 117 balls which blew away the Indian bowling attack.

Stokes reached his half century in 40 balls and ever since unleashed his max potential on Indian bowlers. The left-handed all-rounder scored 3 sixes in each of Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya’s overs. Stokes struck 49 runs in the next 11 balls he faced before getting caught behind off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 99 in 52 balls.

Stokes hit 99 runs in 52 balls with the help of 10 sixes! England were 285-2 in 35.2 overs requiring just 52 runs to win in 88 balls at Stokes exit.

Meanwhile Bairstow ramped up his century with a six as well off Kuldeep Yadav. He was dismissed for 124 runs in 112 balls the very next over after Stokes dismissal. The very same over Prasidh Krishna yorked England captain Jos Buttler for a duck.

England coped up with the hiccup smoothly with debutant Liam Livingstone and Dawid Malan sail over the target with 6.3 overs remaining. Livingstone hit 27* in 21 balls on his debut including 2 sixes off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Malan remained unbeaten on 16 runs in 23 balls.

England won the match by 6 wickets in an innings which had 22 sixes! Jonny Bairstow was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Match Summary

INDIA 336-6 in 50 overs

Virat Kohli 66 (79) – 3 fours & 1 six

KL Rahul 108 (114) – 7 fours & 2 sixes

Rishabh Pant 77 (40) – 3 fours & 7 sixes

Reece Topley 8-0-50-2

ENGLAND 337-4 in 43.3 overs

Jason Roy 55 (52) – 7 fours & 1 six

Jonny Bairstow 124 (112) – 11 fours & 7 sixes

Ben Stokes 99 (52) – 4 fours & 10 sixes

Prasidh Krishna 10-0-58-2

Man of the Match: Jonny Bairstow

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

Toss: England won the toss and elect to bowl