India batting first after winning the toss, started tentatively with Sehwag giving 3 half chances for a dismissal in the first over itself. He was lucky to survive and partnered with the awesome, solid Tendulkar on the other end. After Sehwag's dismissal, Tendulkar continued on to nudge and take singles with Gambhir being the aggressive of the two.
Everything took a super twist when Sachin changed his bat and went for a heavier one. He started to blast sixes with ease and looked to be in golden touch. He hit Swann over mid wicket twice to clear the boundary easily and hit a few straight shots which were superb. Sachin scored 120 runs off 115 balls and hit 5 sixes. After his assault, Dhoni and Yuvraj continued their carnage on the England bowlers with Yuvi scoring a half century. India though messed up in the end by losing 5 wickets in the last 2 overs and finally folded out on 338 all out. Tim Bresnan took 5 wickets in the end to restrict India to a chasable score,
Chasing a huge total, England got a rocking start with Strauss and KP taking the fight to the opposition. Strauss looked amazing with his cut and pull shots coming in nicely. KP was undone by a super catch by Munaf Patel on his own bowling,
Strauss got a life when he was on 22 when Indians dint appeal for a caught behind dismissal as the England Captain had Nicked the ball sailing safely into MSD's hands. Strauss then got together with Bell on a huge 170 runs partnership to take England to a commanding position to win the match. Bell who scored 61runs was given not out in a controversial LBW decision which was referred. Super Strauss made a well paced, sensible 158 runs before being dismissed by a great yorker by Zaheer Khan. England at that stage were cruising for a easy win with 48 runs needed off last 8 overs.
The match which had more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride, turned again as Zaheer Khan bowling the 43rd over which was probably the most crucial moment which affected the match result. He took 2 wickets in 2 balls sending both the set batsmen, Bell and Strauss back to the pavilion. He took another wicket in the same over and ended with figures of 3 for 63.
Then Indians put more pressure on the England and with 2 overs to go as they looked to run away with a win as England needed 24 runs. Piyush Chawla bowling 49th over was hit for 2 sixes and this changed the match again. Needing 11 off the last over, a six from Shehzad did India in and in the end, the last ball resulted in a single to end the mach in a tie and both the teams getting a well deserved point each.
India 338 in 49.5 overs
England 338 in 50 overs
Result : Match tied
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