After the no-show at Bristol, the cricket caravan moves to Cardiff. The weather is more promising although some showers have been predicted in the late afternoon. Both sides will want to figure out the right combination and build assiduously for the World Cup.
England vs India, 2nd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Series: India tour of England 2014 Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Date & Time: Aug 27, 10:30 AM LOCAL
Kohli failed once again on the tour © Cricbuzz
It is imperative for India to bury the Test series and start afresh. The newbies -
Rain delayed the start of England's chase. The openers walked out to the middle before being forced off without a ball being bowled. The delay was not a long one though. Only 3 overs were lost and England's target came below 300.
Alex Hales, on debut, showed no signs of nerves and gave England the impetus early on. Cook was watchful at the other end but Hales took a few more chances and got going with a flurry of boundaries.
Hales and Cook put on a steady 54-run stand before Shami struck. Cook shuffled across to a straight delivery and was struck in front of middle. It looked plumb at first sight but replays showed that the ball was pitching marginally outside leg.
England suffered another big blow in the same over when Bell shouldered arms to a straight delivery and saw his bails being knocked over.
England were put in a spot of bother when Root was bowled through the gate. It was a top class delivery from Bhuvneshwar. The ball pitched on a good length, just outside off and nipped back in sharply. Root was done in by the movement and saw the ball hitting the top of middle stump.
India kept England on a tight leash with regular strikes. Jadeja struck in his first over, removing the dangerous Hales. The batsman went for a sweep but got a top edge. Ashwin, at short fine leg, misjudged it first but recovered quickly, pedalled back and took it comfortably in the end.
Jadeja struck for the second time in as many overs as Buttler felt tamely. The batsman pushed out at a delivery that stopped on him a touch and ended up chipping it gently to cover. England had lost half their side now as India tightened the noose.
England had an outside chance of mounting pressure on England with Eoin Morgan in the middle. However, that was nipped in the bud when Morgan miscued a sweep and holed out to deep mid wicket giving Ashwin his first wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up 4/28 while Ashwin finished with two wickets. The spin duo were very effective with the scoreboard pressure to boot. England simply crumbled under the pressure and slipped to a crushing 133-run loss. India took a 1-0 lead in emphatic fashion
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