A masterclass inning from Jonny Bairstow (112-ball 124) and his 100-run stand with national hero Ben Stokes (52-ball 99) for the second wicket powered England to a series-levelling win in India vs England second ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The visitors won the match by 6 wickets in just 43.3 overs.
Chasing 337 for the win, England openers Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow started well for England. The duo stitched a solid century partnership as India had to wait too long for their first breakthrough. Both Roy and Bairstow scored half-centuries.
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Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Friday admitted that the Indian cricket team was completely outplayed by England.
"We started off well with the new ball, with our lines and lengths but England found a way to hang on and got a century partnership. We did falter a bit at times but mostly, that was some of the best hitting that you'll ever see.
"We never had a chance during their partnership (Stokes-Bairstow), that's how good they were. Don't think dew was much of a factor. Maybe the wicket settled a bit better but that's no excuse. We just defended a score two days ago. Tonight was a case of lack of execution at certain stages but they didn't give us anything," Virat Kohli said after the match.
England played today's game under the leadership of Jose Butler in the absence of regular captain Eoin Morgan. The visitors won the toss and invited India to bat first.
Batting first, India scored 337/5. KL Rahul scored 108 runs. Rishabh Pant contributed with 77 runs off just 40 balls. Captain Virat Kohli scored a brilliant half-century.