Despite setting an under-par total on the board India fought hard, but it proved insufficient as James Taylor and Jos Buttler stitched a match-winning partnership for the sixth wicket to hand a three-wicket defeat in the knockout match of the tri-series at WACA.
Indian bowlers, after a long time, looked on-song and used the conditions to their advantage but failed to bring the team home as there was not enough total on the board. Taylor and Buttler, meanwhile, ensured that they book a summit clash with Australia.
All-rounder Stuart Binny was the pick of the bowlers and ripped through England’s middle-order by dismissing Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara. But Taylor and Root stitched a 125-run partnership for the sixth wicket to ensure England’s victory.
India, however, managed to make a comeback when they got Taylor (82) and Buttler (67) in quick successions. But, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad ensured that they reach the target with nineteen balls to spare in the innings.
Earlier, England captain Eoin Morgan won a good toss on lively WACA pitch as both James Anderson and Steven Finn extracted some pace and bounce. The Indian openers, meanwhile, showed grit and determination and negotiated the new-ball.
Dhawan (38) was the first to depart, but Virat Kohli playing on his favorite number three position looked solid and tried to make a partnership with Rahane. Moeen Ali, however, turned out to be India’s nemesis once again and dismissed Kohli (8) and Raina (1) in a space of four runs.
After that India completely lost the way, as Ambati Rayudu (12), Rahane (73), Stuart Binny and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were all sent packing quite cheaply. Binny (7) and Dhoni, in particular, looked quite composed but the former was dismissed, when Ian Bell pulled off a screamer.
Dhoni, meanwhile, played some solid shots but a rising ball from Anderson hit the Indian skipper in front of the helmet. He looked rattled from the blow and in the same over a ball, which kept low, hit Dhoni (17) on the pads.
It was just a matter of time after that as Indian lower-order failed to put any resistance as Ravindra Jadeja (5) and Axar Patel (1) were dismissed cheaply.
