Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led from the front as beleaguered India redeemed themselves with a 126-run win over England in the first one-dayer in Hyderabad on Friday. Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 87 off 70 balls to power the injury-ravaged world champions to 300-7 after he won the toss and chose to bat on a sluggish wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. England, fresh for their overwhelming success over India at home, were shot out for 174 in 36.1 overs to hand India the early lead in the five-match series.
Captain Alastair Cook top-scored with 60, but England lost their last eight wickets for 63 runs after being comfortably placed at 111-2 in the 23rd over. Left-arm spinner Ravinda Jadeja and off-break bowler Ashwin grabbed three wickets each and seamer Umesh Yadav claimed two in front of 25,000 delighted home fans. Dhoni’s men had been blanked 4-0 in the Test series and 3-0 in the one-dayers on their recent tour of England. India, playing their first international at home since the World Cup triumph in April, were without star batsman Sachin and at least six other regulars, due to injury or poor form.
The hosts defended the total with a new-look bowling attack in which three specialists, Vinay Kumar, Yadav and Ashwin, had played only 25 one-dayers between them before Friday’s match.
