India v England: Self-belief doesn't translate into victory for England

Eoin Morgan admits England were outplayed by India in Cuttack despite running the hosts close in a thrilling run chase.
England's Alex Hales falls on the ground in Thursday's ODI defeat against India in Cuttack. Picture: AP/Aijaz RahiEngland's Alex Hales falls on the ground in Thursday's ODI defeat against India in Cuttack. Picture: AP/Aijaz Rahi
England's Alex Hales falls on the ground in Thursday's ODI defeat against India in Cuttack. Picture: AP/Aijaz Rahi

Morgan smashed 102 off 81 balls – his first one-day international century since June 2015 – as England hunted down their victory target of 382.

But it proved to be just out of reach with India holding their nerve to win by 15 runs and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

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“We weren’t at our best again today with the ball or the bat but we still competed,” said Morgan. “We’re tremendously disappointed to get so close and not get over the line.

“But India outplayed us again today.”

England had got off to the perfect start after winning the toss and bowling first, Chris Woakes’ three early wickets leaving India reeling.

But Yuvraj Singh (150) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (134) added 256 runs for the fourth wicket to lay the foundations for a late assault by India, who finished on 381-6.

“We have the belief that we can chase a score like that down – we chased 350 down before and nearly chased 398 against New Zealand – but today we didn’t have the skill to convert that belief.”

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Virat Kohli, who inspired India to victory in the opener, was grateful to Yuvraj and Dhoni after he was dismissed by Woakes for only eight.

“We wonder where we would have ended up if we’d had a good start,” said Kohli.

“It wasn’t great batting initially but two of the greats stood up, as they have done so many times for Indian cricket.

“To be 25 for three scoring at four-an-over and end up getting 381 is outstanding.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin took the crucial wickets of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler and he said: “It was very important we got those wickets in the middle given the margin we won by.

“They were big wickets because they are big players for England in a chase.

“It was important to keep chipping away at the wickets so we could put pressure on at the back end of the game.”

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