Virat Kohli
After the big seven-wicket win at Ranchi, India has not only got a 2-1 lead in the 5 match ODI series against England but they have also got the number one position in the ICC Rankings.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni wanted the “people of Jharkhand” to make Saturday’s ODI “very special.” They played their part admirably, but his teammates scripted the perfect game.
The seven-wicket win was India's second comprehensive victory in a row over England, allowing Dhoni to reflect with satisfaction on his team's efforts. Before the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium's international debut he had called the ground a "nine out of ten", though it may now be closer to full marks.
"[This stadium has some] of the best facilities. The response from the people has been amazing. Everything went off well, we won the game, it was a perfect script." said Dhoni.
That the winning runs (a boundary) came off Dhoni’s blade made it an even more memorable beginning as an international venue for this fanatical city.
England’s captain Alastair Cook, though, wasn’t impressed. “I’m sure Dhoni is very happy with things, but at this moment, I have no interest in the fairytale.” A bit sour, but two big defeats in succession have forced a strong reality check on Cook. Last month, he’d led England to a memorable win in the Test series. The defeat was England's 18th in their last 21 ODIs against India in India and Cook was well aware that for the second match in a row the batting performance had been inadequate. "One-fifty was nowhere near enough on that pitch," he said. "We were not going to defend that unless it was a freak day.
Virat and Yuvraj Singh had a commanding partnership, 66 for the third wicket. Virat Kohli overcame a trying spell from Finn in which he top-edged a couple of bouncers over the wicketkeeper. But once set, he let loose the pulls, flicks and cover-drives that powered him to a match-winning half-century. The innings was long due, and runs for him would mean one worry less for the team management.
