Pune: India outplayed world champions England by 66 runs in the opening ODI here on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a steep 317-run target for victory, England folded for 251 in 42.1 overs despite making a dazzling start.
Rookie pacer Prasidh Krishna turned it around remarkably after being taken to the cleaners early on to register figures of 4/54 in 8.1 overs, the best by a debutant.
For England, opener Jonny Bairstow top-scored with a 66-ball 94.
His 135-run opening stand with Jason Roy (46) put England in a commanding position before their it all unravelled for the visitors.
Earlier put in to bat, India produced a solid batting performance. Opener Shikhar Dhawan roared back to form with a 98-run effort, while skipper Virat Kohli (56), K L Rahul (62 not out) and debutant Krunal Pandya (58 not out) notched up half centuries.
Dhawan and Kohli shared a second wicket partnership of 105 runs that laid the foundation for Rahul and Pandya to accelerate.
The Pandya-Rahul combination put together 112 runs for the sixth wicket. Later, Pandya, a left-arm spinner, also picked up a wicket.
Virat Kohli, India captain, said, ‘ This is one of our sweetest wins in the recent past. This one is right up there with any other. Getting nine wickets so quickly is outstanding. To come back into the game the way they did is brilliant. I’m a really, really proud man right now. Team showed great character and intensity. As I mentioned in the past as well, we promote players who have intent. Special mention to Shikhar’s innings as well. KL as well, back among the runs. Want to back the people who we know will go out and do a selfless job. For every spot we have two-three players available. Great signs for Indian cricket. Right now we are on the right path and have a big pool of players to choose from. Shikhar’s body language was amazing when he wasn’t playing. He was so helpful for us. Today he deserved the result. He batted in the most toughest phase today and got 95 which is more valuable than what the scoreboard shows. The ploy was that when we got to 100-partnership, between overs 31 and 40, I told Shikhar I’ll take the bowling on. Few wickets pushed us back a little bit. It’s a fair assessment (that we were below par). Under lights as well, the ball was coming on nicely.’
Shikhar Dhawan , Player of the Match, said, ‘ Very happy with my performance – more than that, our team won. Was doing good gym sessions, running sessions and net sessions. All the smart work paid off. We knew ball was swinging and seaming as well, so we knew we had to stay at the wicket and play close to the body. I’m not a person who gets too sad or too happy. Wasn’t in a rush to score hundred. Unfortunately it went to hand, that’s alright. It happens. When I wasn’t playing I was like how I could give to the team. I was being a good 12th man, running around, serving water. In my head it was clear that when I get an opportunity, I will grab it.’