England captain Eoin Morgan laid the platform for a thrilling three-run win over India in the lone Twenty20 international at Edgbaston.
Morgan top-scored with a dashing 71 in England’s 7-180 after he won the toss on Sunday.
Nevertheless, India – in the final match of their tour of England – were cruising to victory while Virat Kohli (66) was at the crease.
But when he was out India lost their way and they needed 17 off the last over, bowled by Chris Woakes, to win – a task that was too great even for India captain MS Dhoni, who managed 13 runs.
Morgan had managed just 198 runs in his last 10 one-day international innings, but showed his class in a 31-ball knock which included three fours and seven sixes.
Alex Hales made 40 and all-rounder Ravi Bopara 21 not out off nine balls as England scored 67 in the last four overs, with India’s ‘death bowling’ – an area Dhoni has said they must improve if they are to retain their 50-over World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand early next year – again proving a problem.
India paceman Mohammed Shami led the tourists’ attack with 3-38, while Ajinkya Rahane held four catches, including a superb grab to dismiss opener Hales.
Jason Roy fell for eight when he drove Shami to Rahane at extra-cover.
And 1-26 became 2-27 when Moeen Ali fell for a duck by chipping Mohit Sharma to Rahane.
Rahane also ended Hales’s 25 ball-knock.
Hales skied one off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane, running in and across from the long-on boundary, held a brilliant diving catch when it seemed the ball would fall safe.
Morgan, however, launched Karn Sharma over long-on and midwicket for two sixes.
He also drove Mohit Sharma for two huge sixes off successive balls at the end of the 19th over before he was well-caught in the deep by Rahane off Shami.
After opener Ajinkya Rahane fell early in India’s run-chase, left-hander Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Kohli put on 79 for the second wicket.
Kohli holed out off fast bowler Steven Finn, having faced 41 balls, including nine fours, allowing England to take control.
