Leeds: Joe Root smashed his second ODI century as England prevented India from securing a clean sweep with a consolatory 41-run win in the inconsequential fifth cricket match, here on Friday.
Root struck 113 runs as England put on board a challenging 294 for seven and then bowled out the visitors for 253 in 48.4 even as India won the series 3-1 on the back of their previous victories.
India, who dominated the series with their consistent show, opted to bowl but Root’s hundred ensured that the home side scored their highest total of the series.
Root faced 108 balls and hit 10 fours along with three sixes in his magnificent innings. He added 108 runs off just 71 balls with Jos Buttler (49) for the fifth wicket scoring at impressive 8 runs per over.
In-form Indian opener Ajinkya Rahane (0) struggled on Friday as he was dismissed for a nought but other batsmen, who got starts were guilty of not converting on an easy batting strip.
In a splendid rearguard action, Ravindra Jadeja hit an aggressive 87-run knock but was it was too late and only reduced the defeat margin. The southpaw hit nine fours and two sixes in his entertaining 62-ball innings.
Young batsman Ambati Rayudu came up with a fighting 53-run knock off 65 balls in India’s resistance but his promising innings was cut short by Ben Stokes.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 31 off 44 balls before being castled by Moeen Ali, who also got key wicket of Suresh Raina (18) as the off-spinner played a crucial role in turning the tide in his side’s favour.
Till Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at the crease, India had their hopes alive but once the skipper fell in a bizarre fashion, it was a matter of time for England to complete the win. Dhoni chased a widish ball from Steven Finn and sent it straight to Stokes, gifting away his wicket after making 29.
After that it was Jadeja, who kept England fielders busy, but could not pull off miraculous win.
For England, pacer troika of Stokes (3/47), James Anderson (2/39) and Steven Finn (2/37) shared seven wickets between them while Ali took two wickets.
England skipper Alastair Cook (46 runs) and Alex Hales (4) looked for a good start to put India under some pressure, but it wasn’t meant to be despite a quick get away.
Hales was aggressive and miscued a pull shot to be caught at mid-wicket off Yadav in the 4th over.(PTI)
