Birmingham: Hosts England kept themselves alive and put one foot into the semis after defeating India by 31 runs. Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli laid down a perfect foundation for India to chase down their record target in World Cups, yet continuous wickets at middle-overs dented india's chances of winning the match.
Liam Plunkett was the star performer for England while bowling, picking up 3 wickets. Jonny Bairstow was adjudged the player of the match for his match-winning knock of 111 runs. With this win, England move to fourth position, while India remain at 2nd position courtesy of a superior net run rate than New Zealand.
Earlier in the day, Rishabh Pant failed to live up to his hype, as the Delhi youngster was dismissed by Liam Plunkett while trying to hit for a maximum at deep square leg. With the fall of Pant's wicket, England further gripped hold of the game in their favour.
Earlier, India opener, Rohit Sharma scored his 25th ODI ton against England here at Edgbaston. Despite skipper Virat Kohli losing his control trying to up the ante, Rohit remained calm as he went on to score yet another century, his third in this World Cup.
At the moment, India requires 140 runs in 14 overs with 8 wickets in hand to win the match.
Despite losing the early wicket of KL Rahul, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma steadied the innings with a 100-runs unbeaten stand. In the process of this innings building stand, both the batsmen reached to their respective fifties. Presently India are 112/1 in 23 overs.
Earlier, Indian opener KL Rahul was dismissed off a Chris Woakes's delivery without troubling the scorers after a cautious start.
Trying to flick a half-pitched delivery for a quick single, Rahul mistimed the shot to place the ball straight at the hands of Woakes to give England a strong start. India are presently 9/1 at the end of 4 overs needing further 329 runs to win the match in 276 deliveries.
Earlier, hosts England managed to post 337 at the end of their allotted 50 overs. Off to a flyer after a solid 160-runs opening partnership, England batsmen lost their course in the slog-overs as they managed to post 337/7 in 50 overs.
Mohammed Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, as the Bengal pacer picked up a fifer giving away 69 runs in his quota of 10 overs, The Englishmen scored 92 runs in the last 10 overs losing 4 wickets en-route to their 337. The Indians crawled back into the game after dismissing Bairstow and Eoin Morgan in quick succession.
Mohammed Shami was the chief wrecker for team India in both of these occasions as the Bengal speedster first dismissed Bairstow and then followed it up by dismissing Morgan in the next over.
Although India have picked two successive wickets, yet England are in a strong position having already put up 213/3 in 36 overs.
Earlier, England reached 200 inside 30 overs, expected to post in excess of 350. Although England lost Roy in the 23rd over, yet the hosts are well settled to post a mammoth total above 350 runs. Jonny Bairstow (111*) along with Joe Root (20) are at the crease as England have put up 202/1 inside 30 overs.
Kuldeep has only been the bowler who has successfully gotten a wicket, in a pitch where other bowlers have all struggled. Earlier, Jason Roy was dismissed after a stunning catch by Ravindra Jadeja at long-on. English openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy provided England with a fantastic start with a 100-run partnership.
With Bairstow and Roy off to a superb start, England are set to post a mammoth total on the board here at Edgbaston. Earlier, England skipper, Eoin Morgan, opted to bat first after winning the toss. The Englishmen made a forced change, bringing in half-fit Jason Roy in place of James Vince while Liam Plunkett replaced Moeen Ali.
India, on their part, also made a change, bringing in Rishabh Pant in place of Vijay Shankar. This match is an important fixture for the hosts to guarantee a place for themselves in the finals.
The Three Lions, started the innings on a positive note as an in-form Roy hit Shami for two boundaries in the very first over. Presently, the Englishmen are at a fine position having put up 100 plus partnership without giving away any wicket. As the track is suitable for batting, this match is supposed to be a high-scoring affair.
