Kolkata, Oct 29 :It took a while coming, maybe too long. But victory, whenever it comes, however it comes, is always sweet. England finally managed to get a win — their first in India since 2006 — and it was Kevin Pietersen who powered them to a six-wicket triumph with eight balls to spare in the Twenty20 match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Kevin Pietersen struck a rollicking 53 as England salvaged some pride on an otherwise dismal Indian tour with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over the hosts in the lone Twenty20 International here today.
Pietersen, who missed the visitors’ last ODI here because of a fractured left thumb, returned in style with a match-winning knock that came off 39 balls as England chased down India’s modest 121-run target with eight balls to spare.
After being dropped on one by Suresh Raina, Pietersen hit five boundaries and three sixes en route his quickfire innings as the reigning T20 champions proved their supremacy in the shortest format of the game.
India had won the toss and elected to bat. Suresh Raina, 39 off 29 balls, was the only Indian batsman who ever really got going. There were times, however, when it looked like India would get to at least 150. India were chugging along and had reached 66-3 after 10.4 overs when they lost three wickets in quick succession.
The partnership between Raina and Tiwary was building on when Samit Patel broke the stand by removing Tiwary. Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja followed into the hut and India were suddenly forced back into defensive mode.
They never recovered despite Dhoni trying his hardest to salvage the situation.
Kevin Pietersen struck a rollicking 53 as England salvaged some pride on an otherwise dismal Indian tour with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over the hosts in the lone Twenty20 International here today.
Pietersen, who missed the visitors’ last ODI here because of a fractured left thumb, returned in style with a match-winning knock that came off 39 balls as England chased down India’s modest 121-run target with eight balls to spare.
After being dropped on one by Suresh Raina, Pietersen hit five boundaries and three sixes en route his quickfire innings as the reigning T20 champions proved their supremacy in the shortest format of the game.
India had won the toss and elected to bat. Suresh Raina, 39 off 29 balls, was the only Indian batsman who ever really got going. There were times, however, when it looked like India would get to at least 150. India were chugging along and had reached 66-3 after 10.4 overs when they lost three wickets in quick succession.
The partnership between Raina and Tiwary was building on when Samit Patel broke the stand by removing Tiwary. Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja followed into the hut and India were suddenly forced back into defensive mode.
They never recovered despite Dhoni trying his hardest to salvage the situation.
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