Morgan's onslaught helps England claim lone T20
Eoin Morgan's 31-ball 71 helped England beat India by a narrow three-run margin in the one-off Twenty20 international played at Edgbaston on Sunday.
England won the toss and elected to bat but the hosts were reduced to 27 for two in three overs. Alex Hales and Joe Root put on a 48-run stand for the third wicket but the duo were dismissed just when they were looking dangerous.
It was then that Morgan came to the fore. He began in style, smashing R Ashwin over deep midwicket for a huge six in the 11th over. He then dispatched Ravindra Jadeja for a four and a six in the 16th over and lofted Karn Sharma for two huge sixes in the 17th.
Jos Buttler's dismissal at the other end didn't stop Morgan's attacking posture. He smashed Mohammed Shami for a four and a six in the 18th.
With just two overs left in England's innings, Morgan found yet another gear. He clubbed Mohit Sharma for two sixes and a four in the penultimate over. Morgan fell in the last over to Shami but the damage had already been done and England posted 180.
India lost Ajinkya Rahane early, but Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli put on a 79-run stand for the second wicket to stay in the contest.
Kohli, who failed to cross 40 across 14 innings in the Tests and ODIs, finally found form and scored his first half-century of the tour.
When Kohli holed out to Steven Finn in the 15th over, the equation seemed to be in India's favour - 50 to get from 34 balls. But James Tredwell bowled a tight 16th over to add pressure on India's middle order. England then struck twice in two overs to dismiss the dangerous Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.
MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu came together in the 18th over with 23 runs still needed, but the duo struggled to time the ball, and England won the game by winning the death-overs mini-contest.
"Throughout the whole game the guys held their nerve very well," Morgan said. "We got to a good score and then the bowler's were exceptional. There's little margin for error when Dhoni's at the crease but they were great. The short ball suited conditions. We felt the full ball was easy hit. The wicket played pretty well, to get up to 180 was really good. I've gone through some tough times with the bat and come through them before but it was nice to get a get a few today."