Bumrah and Sharma slaughter England

By Kersi Meher-Homji

It was indeed a slaughter. On her home ground, The Oval in London, a full strength England was slaughtered by India in the first One Day International (ODI) last night. India triumphed by 10 wickets with 188 balls in hand.

The hero for India was her fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who took his career best 6 for 19. Despite her world-class batsmen – Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and skipper Jos Buttler – England was routed for a poor score of 110 in 25.2 overs. Apart from Bumrah’s magic bullets, another fast bowler Mohammed Shami took 3 for 31.

CricInfo’s Sidharth Monga described Bumrah as “the reality era superstar.”

Set 111 runs to win, India’s experienced openers skipper Rohit Sharma (76 not out with 7 fours and 5 sixes) and Shikhar Dhawan (31 with 4 fours) reached the winning target off only 18.4 overs. One of Sharma’s sixes hit a little girl in the Stand which necessitated medical attention. She is fine now as the England Cricket Board gave her and her family free tickets for the second ODI as also a small gift.

The 100 over match (50 overs by either side) finished in only 44 overs.

For his magical bowling spree Jasprit Bumrah was made Player of the Match.

He said at the presentation: “When there is swing to offer and seam movement, it is exciting times for white-ball cricket. Very happy when there was some help for us in the beginning. When I bowled the first ball, I saw some swing… If there is no swing, you pull your length back.

“When the ball is doing something, you don’t have to try too much. But when the wicket is flat, your accuracy is tested. As soon as Shami bowled the first over, we felt he can go fuller since there was some help. He had a discussion with me that we should go fuller. Very happy for him, but when he beats the bat, I told him there will be a day when he runs through sides! When the ball is moving around, the slip cordon and keeper are very active. Very happy for Rishabh Pant [for his catches]!”

A pleased as punch skipper Rohit Sharma added, “Looking at the pitch and the overhead conditions, bowling was the right call to make. We never really worry about the conditions. We saw during the T20s as well when the pitch was flat; we came out and did the job. Today was more suitable for the fast bowlers. When you play in conditions like that, you need to understand what kind of assistance bowlers are going to get. We know the quality of the bowlers. Dhawan and I have played a lot of cricket together. We understand each other well, except the first ball [when there was a run-out chance]. We know what he brings for us; very experienced player. The pull or hook is a high-risk shot, but I back myself to play that. As long as it keeps coming, I am happy!”

The second ODI starts at Lord’s tomorrow, India leading 1-0.

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