CUTTACK: Limited overs stalwarts Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni rolled back the years to smash scintillating centuries to help India secure a series-clinching 15-run victory in the second one-day international against England yesterday.
England captain Eoin Morgan blasted a blistering 102 but could not take his team over the line as India prevailed in the thrilling run-fest to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Put into bat, India were reeling at 25 for three when Yuvraj and Dhoni staged a spectacular recovery with an epic 256-run partnership spread over 38-odd overs.
Left-handed Yuvraj hammered a career-best 150 off 127 balls, a sizzling knock studded with 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Dhoni made 134 off 122 balls, his 10th one-day century. His innings contained six sixes, including three in a Liam Plunkett over.
Paceman Chris Woakes emerged from the batting carnage with his reputation intact, having claimed four wickets as India posted a commanding 381-6.
In reply, England lost Alex Hales cheaply but Joe Root (54) and Jason Roy steadied the innings with a century stand.
India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin (3-65) struck in his first over, dismissing Root, and England lost three more wickets, including that of Roy who made a brisk 82, to slump to 206-5.
Morgan raised 93 runs with Moeen Ali (55) to keep England in the chase and went on to complete his ninth ODI century.
Unfortunately for the tourists, Morgan was run out in the penultimate over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent down a tidy final over to restrict England to 366-8.
Kolkata hosts the third and final one-dayer on Sunday.