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The stage was set and both the tensions and stakes were high. The score card was leveled with a victory to either team’s name. When the England cricket team scored 325-4 in the first ODI, it was a proud locker room moment for everyone involved. Even though they had just about nine runs over the Indian squad, the victory gave them a starting lead in the five match series. Another reason why it was important to celebrate their victory in all its glory was because it was England’s first victory in 14 away matches against their staunch rivals. They won the toss, and the decision to bat first definitely turned out to be fortunate enough for the lot. Ian Bell and Alastair Cook took 158 runs in the opening stand, a combined effort with their 85 and 75 runs respectively. The timely wickets helped the team cement their victory against the Indian cricket team. After their win at Rajkot, England geared up for a similar encounter with the Indians in Kochi, but it seemed like God’s own country proved unlucky for the tourists who were at the receiving end of the competitive vengeance of the Indian cricket team. The home team won the match by an astounding 127 run margin, regarded as the second highest margin of victory against the England cricket team. This leveled the series 1-1. Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s 72 runs from 66 balls, a feat that earned the praise of the ‘best skipper in the world’ from his English counterpart, Cook, was only preceded by Ravindra Jadeja`s top ranking 61 runs from 37 balls. It’s a no brainer why Jadeja was conferred the man of the match that day. The only silver lining for the English was latest record incorporated into Alastair Cook profile - that of the youngest batsman to reach 7,000 Test runs. Proud moment for the captain and the left handed opening batsman. He was appointed Captain of the England test team following Andrew Strauss’s retirement. He had prepped up his team and boosted their confidence since their crushing defeat in Kochi, to face the Indian team at Ranchi, on 19th January, in the third ODI of the England tour series. But home soil proved fortunate for Indian who won the match by 7 wickets. Virat Kohli who was adjudged the Man of the Match, secured 77 runs. Now both teams brace themselves for the next ODI in the series set to take place at Mohali, on 23rd January.
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