IND vs ENG Live Score, Cricket World Cup 2023: Follow all latest updates and full scorecard of IND vs ENG WC match from Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium.
The 2023 Cricket World Cup witnessed an intense battle between India and England at the iconic Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. This highly anticipated match was marked by remarkable performances and unexpected twists. England, captained by Jos Buttler, won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
An Unsettled Start for India – IND vs ENG
India began their innings with explosive intent, thanks to Rohit Sharma, who provided a quick start. However, the team struggled to maintain momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Even the reliable Virat Kohli fell for a duck, a rare sight in World Cup history. But KL Rahul’s composed partnership with Rohit Sharma began the process of recovery for the Indian side. Rohit Sharma’s brilliant form continued as he surpassed 18,000 international runs and notched up another half-century. Their partnership came to an end with Rahul’s dismissal in the 31st over, courtesy of David Willey.
Suryakumar Yadav then joined Rohit and the duo added 33 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Rohit Sharma fell agonizingly short of his century, departing after a remarkable 87-run innings. Ravindra Jadeja followed soon after, and Suryakumar Yadav took on the responsibility of steering India to a respectable total, although he fell just one run shy of his half-century. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav’s late contributions helped India reach the total of 229/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
England’s Chase and Bumrah’s Double Strike
England commenced their chase with confidence, but it was Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant spell that turned the tide in India’s favor. In the third over of his spell, Bumrah took two crucial wickets in consecutive balls, dismissing Dawid Malan and Joe Root. This sudden breakthrough applied the brakes to England’s progress and injected a sense of uncertainty into the game.
Mohammad Shami further compounded England’s woes by removing the dangerous duo of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in his first two overs. England’s quest for victory was starting to appear increasingly challenging.
On paper, the match seemed heavily one-sided. India, riding high on their impressive form, appeared dominant, while England’s campaign in the World Cup hung in the balance with four defeats in five games. A loss in this match would surely spell the end of their World Cup journey. However, as they say, in cricket, anything is possible. England desperately searched for a glimmer of hope to revive their World Cup campaign.
India’s Advantage and Hardik Pandya’s Unavailability
One factor that could potentially work in England’s favor was India’s one-week break leading up to the match. India’s last ODI was a victory against New Zealand, where they finally broke their ICC tournament jinx against the Kiwis. They spent some days in Dharamsala before arriving in Lucknow for training. However, India faced the challenge of playing without the services of Hardik Pandya, who had not recovered from his ankle injury. What initially seemed like a minor sprain had turned into a Grade 1 ligament tear, requiring another 5-6 days for full recovery. While Hardik had resumed bowling and training, his return to full fitness remained uncertain.
Key Points in the Match – IND vs ENG
- England succeeded in restricting India to a total of 229/9.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike during the third over of his spell disrupted England’s chase.
- Mohammad Shami made an impactful contribution by dismissing Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow.
- Virat Kohli’s surprising dismissal for a duck was a significant moment in the match.
- Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role, scoring 87 off 101 balls.
- Suryakumar Yadav’s valiant 49 off 47 provided crucial support.
- KL Rahul’s 39 off 58 built a partnership of 91 runs with Rohit Sharma.
- Both teams fielded unchanged elevens from their previous matches.
In the end, India managed to defend their total and secure a vital victory, further cementing their position as strong contenders in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. England, on the other hand, faced an uphill battle to salvage their campaign. The outcome of the match highlighted the unpredictability and excitement that cricket brings to its fans.