Related Links : India’s Tour of England 2011 : Scorecard of England Vs India, 2nd ODI at Southampton
England through a superb batting display led by Skipper Alastair Cook (80* from 63 balls with 5 fours and a six) crushed India in the Second ODI at The Rose Bowl in Southampton by 7 wickets. Persistent rain in the morning forced the game to be reduced to a 23-over contest which still was a miracle considering the amount of water the ground had taken for a long time.
The visitors were asked to bat first under strong windy conditions. There was one change in the Indian line-up with Manoj Tiwary replacing the injured Rohit Sharma. England brought back Graeme Swann in the place of Jonathan Trott. It was an impressive start from Parthiv Patel who provided some early momentum in the Indian innings with an 18-ball 28 that had 3 fours and 2 sixes. Fellow opener Ajinkya Rahane who scored a maiden ODI half century (54 from 47 balls with 5 fours and a six) consolidated the innings with a 79-run stand for the 2nd wicket with the steady Rahul Dravid (32 from 31 balls with 2 fours).
Suresh Raina was at his best in the finishing overs smashing 40 from just 19 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes to help India reach a challenging total of 187 for 8 in 23 overs. Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann despite going for runs did well to take three wickets each for the hosts.
England gave a thunderous reply to India’s 188 with Opener Craig Kieswetter going great guns with a blazing 46 from 25 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes in an opening stand of 67 in just 6.2 overs. The other opener Alastair Cook wasn’t explosive but did well to keep the momentum going at his end to carry his side to a smooth victory with an unbeaten 80 (from 63 balls with 5 fours and a six). Although the chase went into the final over, there was no doubt that England could lose the game at any stage because the Indian bowling was just too weak to make any impact at a