India starts 2013 on a losing note as they lost to Pakistan by 85 runs in the 2^nd ODI played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata today. Indian captain MS Dhoni was first time lucky to win the toss earlier in the day and opted to field first due to the overcast conditions and he rightly mentioned that it is a do or die situation as we are already trailing the series 1-0 and made a change in the team line-up making way for Ravindra Jadeja in place of Rohit Sharma to strengthen the bowling, while Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was cool as ever and went on with an un-changed team which won the 1^st ODI in Chennai.

Nasir Jamshed stars again as Pakistan crush India in second ODI

Pakistan had a dream start as their openers Nasir Jamshed and Mohammed Hafeez put on a 141 run partnership for the first wicket, one might have thought that 320 will be realistic target looking the way the match progressed but Ravindra Jadeja gave India the initial breakthrough by picking up Mohammed Hafeez for 76 in the 24^th over, and from that moment there was no looking back for the Indian bowlers as they came back strong and picked up the remaining 9 wickets for just 109 runs. Nasir Jamshed who scored an unbeaten century in the 1^st ODI, continued his Superb touch in this match too as he went on to score his 3^rd ton, his 2^nd in this series and all 3 hundreds scored was against India. He was the top scorer for Pakistan with 106. Apart from him and Hafeez, none of the Pakistan players scored big as they were all out for 250 in 48.3 over’s. Among the Indian bowlers Jadeja and Ishant were stand out as they shared 3 wickets each.

With 251 to chase, unlike the 1^st ODI the Indian openers had a good start and added 42 for the first wicket,  but just when things started getting settled Gautam Gambhir gave away his wicket after inside edging onto the stumps bowled by Junaid Khan. Then the downfall started as the Indian batsmen went back to the pavilion in quick succession. None of the Indian batsmen could hold on for a while to play a big innings which is very much required to win the match. Captain MS Dhoni was unbeaten till the end and scored a 50 but played an innings which might be questioned by many. Pakistani bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen as at one point there was not even a single boundary scored for over a 100 balls (almost 17 overs) and the only six of the innings came in the 46^th over hit by Dhoni. Pakistan bowled out India for 165 in 48 overs and won the match by 85runs.Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan produced some excellent spells as both shared 3 wickets. With this huge win, Pakistan leads and wins this series 2-0. For his excellent form with the bat and his 2^nd century in this series Nasir Jamshed was adjudged the Player of the Match. The Eden Gardens seemed to be very lucky for Pakistan as they have won all ODIs played in the venue against India. But the crowds went disappointed on India’s massive defeat. This is India’s first bi-lateral series defeat in more than 3 years. Let’s see if the 3^rd and the final ODI which is to played in Delhi on January 6, 2013 give something to cheer for the fans!

Tags: 2nd ODI, Cricket, Eden Gardens, India, Kolkata, Nasir Jamshed, ODI Series, Pakistan