Suresh Raina helped India claim first blood in their one-day cricket series against England, hitting an impressive century in the tourists' rain-affected 133-run victory in Cardiff.
Suresh Raina of India batting. 2014 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
England made a promising start, reducing India to 19-2, before curbing India's mid-innings revival, with James Tredwell dismissing danger men Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane after they had put on 91.
But as soon as MS Dhoni, coming in at 132-4, found his bearings, the complexion of the Indian innings - and the match - changed.
India's captain hit a run-a-ball half-century before being bowled through the gate by Chris Woakes in the penultimate over, while Raina, his partner, scored a magnificent 74-ball 100, holing out to James Anderson at deep cover the delivery after reaching the milestone, as the tourists finished on 304 for six.
It was a miserable match for England's Chris Jordan, who conceded 12 wides in his 10 overs, which cost 73 runs.
Tredwell took two wickets for 42 runs while Woakes, who took four for 52, were the pick of the England bowlers.
But their batsmen, chasing a revised target of 295 from 47 overs, never looked comfortable from the moment Alastair Cook was dismissed after putting on 54 in good time with fellow opener, ODI debutant Alex Hales.
Wickets, like the rain, fell at regular intervals thereafter, and India completed a comprehensive victory by bowling England out for just 161 in just over 38 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja taking four for 28, to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The first game in Bristol, was abandoned.
The third one-dayer is at Trent Bridge on Saturday night (NZ time).
Meawnhile South African pulled off their second biggest run chase in one day cricket to beat Australia in their tri-series match in Harare.
The Proteas exacted some revenge after losing their test series against Australia earlier this year by reeling in a target of 328 runs, with seven wickets and 20 balls to spare.
Their batting heros were AB de Villiers with an unbeaten 136 and Faf du Plessis 106.
Skipper de Villiers and du Plessis have both been outspoken about Australia's aggressive behaviour during their Test series in South Africa earlier this year, and were obviously eager to prove a point.
