India v England, 2014
Wisden's review of the only Twenty20 International, India v England, 2014
David Clough
15-Apr-2015
At Birmingham, September 7. England won by three runs. Toss: England. Twenty20 international debuts: J. J. Roy; A. T. Rayudu, K. V. Sharma.
With Twenty20s largely off the agenda ahead of the 50-over World Cup, this match was most notable for a curious conclusion. India needed 17 off the final over, bowled by Woakes, and Dhoni carted the first ball over square leg for six. Yet twice in the next four deliveries - which produced six runs - he declined easy singles, despite the presence of Rayudu, a frontline batsman, at the other end. Amid accusations of arrogance, Dhoni insisted he was better placed to reach the fence, having spent more time in the middle. But, requiring five off the last ball - or four for a super over - he could smear only a leg-side single. That meant Kohli's first international half-century of the tour went to waste, while rewarding stand-in captain Morgan's return to form. His expert late hitting included an England-record seven sixes as India's spinners dropped short and their seamers missed their yorkers; the last five overs produced 81. For the second time in six days, Ali was booed in the city of his birth by India fans.
Man of the Match: E. J. G. Morgan.
With Twenty20s largely off the agenda ahead of the 50-over World Cup, this match was most notable for a curious conclusion. India needed 17 off the final over, bowled by Woakes, and Dhoni carted the first ball over square leg for six. Yet twice in the next four deliveries - which produced six runs - he declined easy singles, despite the presence of Rayudu, a frontline batsman, at the other end. Amid accusations of arrogance, Dhoni insisted he was better placed to reach the fence, having spent more time in the middle. But, requiring five off the last ball - or four for a super over - he could smear only a leg-side single. That meant Kohli's first international half-century of the tour went to waste, while rewarding stand-in captain Morgan's return to form. His expert late hitting included an England-record seven sixes as India's spinners dropped short and their seamers missed their yorkers; the last five overs produced 81. For the second time in six days, Ali was booed in the city of his birth by India fans.
Man of the Match: E. J. G. Morgan.