Pune: Yuvraj Singh’s all round performance helped India beat England in the first T20 international match here at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium on Thursday.
The stadium hosting an international match for the first time saw India win the match by five wickets.
Asked to chase a target of 158, the men in blue hardly faced any trouble and romped home with just more than two overs remaining.
Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane got them off to a great start and they made full use of the powerplay and put 41 runs within the first five overs. But Tim Bresnan twin strike in the fifth over removed both the openers.
Virat Kohli and Yuvraj continued from where they left and took command of the situation. Yuvraj who was dropped from the fourth Test was particularly harsh on Danny Briggs hitting him for a four and two sixes.
Singh added 49 runs with Kohli for the third wicket before falling for 38 off 21 deliveries laced with two boundaries and three sixes. Kohli who was looking good till then was bowled by Staurt Meaker. He scored 21 off 17 balls including two fours.
Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took India close to the target. Raina however fell short just before the win, but Dhoni guided India home. Raina was out for 26 off 19 balls including a six and a four, while Dhoni hit couple off fours in his 21-ball 24 including couple of boundaries.
Tim Bresnan was the most successful bowler for England with his spell of 2-26.
Earlier batting first, Alex Hales and Luke Wright were on a rampaging mood and carted Indian bowlers all over the park. They put up 81 for the second wicket before Luke Wright was dismissed by Yuvraj Singh. Wright scored 34 off 21 balls including three fours and a six.
England were going good and it looked like they would put on 180 plus score, but Yuvraj struck again and castled Hales for 56. Hales played 35 deliveries including seven boundaries and couple of sixes.
His wicket pegged the hosts back ad their run-rate declined. But some last minute hitting by Samit Patel and Joel Buttler helped them past the 150 run mark.
Yuvraj was the pick of the bowlers for India and picked up three wickets for 19 while Ashoke Dinda chipped in with 2-18.
Brief scores:
India 158 for 5 (Yuvraj 38) beat England 157 for 6 (Hales 56, Yuvraj 3-19) by five wickets