Pune: A classy century by KL Rahul and a quickfire fifty by Risbabh Pant powered India to an imposing total of 336/6 against England in the 2nd ODI of the three match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium, here on Friday.
Apart from Rahul (108) and Pant (77), captain Virat Kohli also played a valuable knock (66) while Hardik Pandya hit some breathtaking shots in slog overs.Put into bat first, India didn't have a great start as Reece Topley dismissed Shikhar Dhawan (4 off 17 balls) in the 4th over of the innings.
Rohit Sharma ( 25 off 25 balls), who looked in great touch, was the next one to depart as he hit the ball straight to Adil Rashid at short fine-leg in the bowling of Sam Curran, leaving India to 37/2 after 8.4 overs.
After the early dismissal of openers Rohit and Dhawan, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul rotated the strike very well and took India to 103/2 after 23 overs.
Continuing his brilliant form, Virat Kohli scored his 62nd ODI half-century off 62 balls. It was his 5th fifty in last 6 ODI innings. On the other hand, KL Rahul who was struggling to put bat to ball in the T20Is just a week back, also hit 10th half-century in ODIs and 2nd in succession in this series.Adil Rashid gave England the much-needed breakthrough, getting rid of Virat Kohli ( 66 off 79 balls). Kohli and Rahul added 121 runs for the third wicket and set a great platform for a charge from the power-packed Indian middle order.
After Kohli's wicket, Rishabh Pant joined KL Rahul in the middle. Both, Pant and KL mixed caution with aggression and helped India cross the 200-mark in 39 overs.In last 10 overs, Pant entered in punishing mode and dealt in sixes, completing his 50 off just 28 balls while Rahul slammed his 5th hundred in 108 balls and became the first centurion in the ODI series from either side.
Rahul and Pant put on 113 runs off 80 deliveries before KL got out in the 45th over. The stand between them put India in a great position to tee off in the final few overs with their power hitters.After Rahul fell, Pant continued his six-hitting spree with Hardik Pandya (35 off 16 balls). They put on 37 runs off 13 deliveries, smashing 5 sixes in that period before Pant was caught by Jason Roy at third man of Tom Curran for 77 off 40 deliveries.
Krunal (12*) then joined Hardik at the crease and added 35 off 16 deliveries with some lusty blows, taking India to 336/3. India managed 126 runs in the last 10 overs.For England, Reece Topley (2/50) and Tom Curran (2/83) claimed two wickets, while Sam Curran (1/47), and Adil Rashid (1/65) accounted for one wicket each.(UNI)
