Indore: On Monday, Nov 17 Yuvraj Singh slammed his tenth ODI hundred and second in the series against England. Yuvi, joining Gambhir in the middle after India was reduced to 29 for three, led the Indian assault with grits.

Yuviraj went for some big shots to score 118 with 15 fours and two sixes before he was caught behind off Stuart Broad. He had also scored a match-winning century in the opening match in Rajkot last Friday, Nov 14.

India lost three early wickets after electing to bat in the second one-day international against England here on Monday. Stuart Broad drew the first blood for the visitors, sending flamboyant opener Virender Sehjwag packing for a single in the second over of the day. Sehwag while trying to guide a Broad delivery, edged it to find his stumps rattled behind.

Suresh Raina was the next man to go for four runs in a very soft dismissal in Borad's next over. Raina casually flicked the ball off his pads but it's in the air, easily picked by Samit Patel at square leg. Broad struck again in the make only four runs.

Broad struck again in the eighth over to dismiss Rohit Sharma off a short of length delivery. The ball got big on Sharma as he tried to pull it and was caught by Owais Shah easy. Yuvraj Singh who lashed an unbeaten 138 in Rajkot on Friday, joined Gambhir in the middle as India were reduced to 29 for three.

Both Gambhir and Yuvraj demonstrated brilliant shot selection, adding quick runs to recover India. While Yuvraj was quick to settle in the middle, Gambhir went on punishing the English bowlers with boundaries regularly. Both gathered 134 runs for the fourth wicket before the opener was bowled by skipper Pietersen. Gambhir misjudged a slower delivery off Pietersen and edged it to rattle the stumps behind after contributing 70. He also achieved the feat of contributing 1000 runs in ODIs in a year. Dhoni, dismissed by Harmison, made 39 off 32 balls with three fours and one six.

India, 1-0 up in the seven-game series, and England retained the same teams from the first game. With Yuvraj Singh declared fit, the hosts retained the XI that thrashed the tourists by 158 runs at Rajkot last Friday.

England too reposed faith in their losing XI despite Ryan Sidebottom, who missed the opener due to a heel injury, fit to play and available.

Agencies

 

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