At Jaipur, October 15, 2006 (day/night). India won by four wickets. India 2 pts. Toss: India.
The bullish sentiments coming out of the England camp prior to their opening match quickly
evaporated. After being put in on a relaid pitch, they were reduced to 55 for five, a position from
which they could not recover adequately. The experiment of Flintoff at No. 3 literally came to
nought and, although Collingwood did his best to organise the tail, England's meagre total was
at least 50 short of competitive. Both Patel and Pathan swung the new ball, while off-spinner
Powar ended England's only half-decent partnership, 49 for the sixth wicket between Collingwood
and Dalrymple. When Harmison's first over cost 20, the embarrassment was immediately
compounded, even though he did dismiss Sehwag in the nine-ball process. At the dinner break,
India were 55 for one off eight overs. They stuttered later, both before and after Tendulkar was
trapped in front by Harmison, but it was effectively over by then. India's failings increased England's
post-match frustration, although Dravid's view that it had been a rather more comfortable victory
than the four-wicket margin suggested was a fair assessment.
Man of the Match: M. M. Patel.