On this day in 2018: Kuldeep’s 6/25, Rohit Sharma’s 137 demolishes England
India toured England for an all-format bilateral series in 2018 under the leadership of batting megastar Virat Kohli. They made a good first impression by sealing the three-match T20I series 2-1 and it was now time to showcase an even better performance in the three One Day Internationals, the first of which was played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on this very day in 2018.
The series opener saw Virat Kohli & Co. draw first blood courtesy of a remarkable six-wicket haul from the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and an outstanding century from Rohit Sharma.
When Rohit Sharma & Kuldeep Yadav helped India take a 1-0 lead
Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first. Openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow added 73 runs for the first wicket. England suddenly lost their top-order for just 105 on the board courtesy of absolute brilliance from ‘KulCha’ (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal).
Useful half-centuries from the middle-order duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler helped the Three Lions post a competitive total of 268. While Stokes scored 50, Buttler played a cameo knock of 53 runs from 51 deliveries.
Kuldeep starred with the ball in hand with figures of 6/25 from his 10 overs at an astonishing economy rate of 2.50. He accounted for the likes of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali.
In reply, Rohit Sharma seemed to be on the fifth gear right from the word ‘go’ as he tormented the English bowling attack. He added 59 runs with Shikhar Dhawan for the opening stand before the latter was sent back for a 27-ball 40.
However, England had no rest by any means as captain Kohli joined Rohit in taking them to the cleaners. Kohli played a perfect second fiddle to Rohit, who literally blew the opposition bowlers away.
The ‘Hitman’ completed his century within the blink of an eye and even Kohli registered his half-century as India reduced their deficit. The hosts finally succeeded in breaking this 167-run stand by dismissing Kohli for 75, but they found no answers to Rohit’s masterclass, which left them shell-shocked.
Rohit finished things off in style as India successfully got home by eight wickets in the 41st over. The dynamic batter remained unbeaten on 137 runs from 114 balls. Nonetheless, it was Kuldeep who was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning six-wicket haul in the first innings.
