India powered into a
2-1 series lead following a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over
England in the third one-day international at Ranchi.
Alastair Cook's men turned in a second inept batting display in
the space of four days to be bundled out for just 155 batting first in
what was the inaugural ODI at Mahendra Singh Dhoni's home town.The total was never going to trouble India's powerful batting line-up and they passed their meagre target with 21.5 overs to spare thanks to an unbeaten 77 from Virat Kohli.
The teams will resume battle in Mohali for the fourth ODI on Wednesday - a match England must win to keep the series alive.
The tourists made a solid enough start after being put in to bat but a middle- and lower-order collapse put them firmly on the back foot.
Joe Root top-scored with 39 while those around him crumbled, with three wickets falling in the space of nine balls at one point.
Ravindra Jadeja finished as the pick of the bowlers with 3-19 and only Tim Bresnan's knock of 25 down the order added a hint of respectability to the England total.
Dhoni claimed three catches behind the stumps although there was more than a hint of controversy in his take to dismiss dangerman Kevin Pietersen (17), with replays on whether he edged Ishant Sharma proving inconclusive.
India saw opening batsman Ajinkya Rahane clean bowled by Steven Finn for the second time in the series in just the third over of the reply, however a 67-run partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Kohli deflated England's spirits.
Kohli cruised past 50 after Gambhir had picked out Root at mid-on off James Tredwell (2-29) and the Kent spinner then removed Yuvraj Singh (30) to allow Dhoni to hit the winning runs in front of his adoring fans.
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13378_1,00.html
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