After a disappointing test series loss, finally something to cheer for the Indian team and their greatest fans, as India won by 5 wickets against England in the first T20 International and leads the Airtel T20 series 1-0, thanks to Yuvraj Singh’s match winning performance both with bat and ball.

All-round brilliance from Yuvraj Singh powers India to a comfortable win

Captain MS Dhoni after winning the toss asked England’s new T20 Skipper Eoin Morgan to bat first. Though England lost opener Michael Lumb very early in the innings, Alex Hales along with Luke Wright smashed the Indian bowlers. Both were cruising at one stage when England were 89-1 in 10 overs at a run rate of almost nine an over, one would have thought England will end up scoring 190+. At that stage MS Dhoni tried almost seven bowlers within the first 9 overs, Yuvraj Singh gave India the much needed breakthrough of picking Luke Wright’s wicket caught by Rahane in the 10^th over which was actually the Moment of the Match and stopped the steady progression of the England innings. In his very next over Yuvraj Singh strikes again with his golden arm, picked up Alex Hales who scored a deadly 56 off 35 balls followed by Skipper Eoin Morgan who got out for just 5 runs.

England were in a deep trouble losing three vital wickets in no time. Samit Patel and Jos Butler gave England some quick fire runs at the end. Patel was out for 24 followed by Tim Bresnan in the same over bowled by Dinda. The final over of the England innings claimed to be the costliest, debutant Parvinder Awana who bowled the last over gave away 17 runs. England ended their innings at 157-6, Jos Butler remained unbeaten on 33 off just 21 balls. Yuvraj Singh was the pick of the bowlers who bowled a magical spell of 4 overs picking up 3 wickets for 19runs, his best bowling figure till date.

Gautam Gambhir and Rahane gave India the start they wanted, scoring 41 runs in first 4 overs but both got out in the same over bowled by Tim Bresnan. Yuvraj Singh along with Virat Kohli provided India a much needed partnership. Virat Kohli was calm and steady on the other hand Yuvraj Singh was hitting the England bowlers out of the park effortlessly. His two sixes and a four off Danny Briggs was a treat to watch. After scoring 38 off 21 balls, Yuvraj Singh’s hard hitting innings came to end; Luke Wright was the man who provided the breakthrough. His knock placed India into a comfortable position as they needed 65 off 60 balls with 7 wickets remaining.

Virat Kohli followed Yuvraj Singh soon as he got out for 21 in the 12^th over. Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni batted sensibly almost till the end of the innings before Raina was run out for a well made 26 runs. Both had a very good partnership. MS Dhoni scored the victory runs in the 18^th over and India successfully chased the target of 157 with 5 more wickets remaining and 13 balls to spare! Captain MS Dhoni was delighted and was all in praise of Yuvraj Singh, who was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his all-round performance (38 runs and 3 wickets).  This was his 2^nd consecutive and 5^th adjudged overall, the highest by an Indian ever in this format. Yuvraj Singh in his post match interview dedicated this MOM award to the Delhi gang rape victim. Good game of cricket all around. This Match also happened to be Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium’s first ever T20 International match. The 2^nd T20 International match will be played in Mumbai on 22^nd December!

Tags: Airtel T20 Series, Cricket, England, India, T20 International, T20I, Yuvraj Singh