Jaipur, October 15, 2006
England were able to produce little in terms of batting against their Indian counterparts in the Champions Trophy. They were bowled out for 125 in 37 overs, yet somehow made a meal of the chase.
Rahul Dravid chose to field after winning the toss, and India's bowlers were quick to repay his faith. Irfan Pathan dismissed Andrew Strauss, and Munaf Patel removed Ian Bell and Andrew Flintoff. England were 11/3, and Flintoff had failed to get off the mark.
It wasn't all good news for England. Patel dismissed Michael Yardy and Kevin Pietersen, who'd made 27, leaving England on 27/5. Paul Collingwood did his best to rally the troops, scoring 38 off 54 balls, while Jamie Dalrymple made 24. Then came the turn of things for England. Ramesh Powar finished with 3/24, Patel took 3/18 and Pathan 2/20.
At 125 all out, England had little more to defend and India were quick to respond, but it didn't happen.
Virender Sehwag went for nine early, and Sachin Tendulkar's 35 off 41 balls was the only notable score at the top of the order. When he was dismissed by Steve Harmison, India were 68/2. Pathan made 19 before being dismissed, and then Harmison got rid of Dravid to leave India at 72/3.
England were able to get back in, and their bowlers just kept finding it. MS Dhoni made seven before he was dismissed by Jamie Dalrymple, and Suresh Raina was out for a duck. All of a sudden, India were six down and needed another seven.
Yuvraj Singh, who finished unbeaten on 27, kept his head up. Harbhajan Singh was with him and made six not out, and India crossed the line at 126/6 in 29.3 overs.
The four-wicket victory was a foregone conclusion once India were within a sniff, but losing six wickets while chasing 126 wasn't exactly what you'd call convincing. Munaf Patel picked up the Player of the Match award for his three wickets, leaving England to rue a batting performance which gave them far too much to do.
India got the result, but England at least made them earn it.
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