Sports Reporter :
India piled up a mammoth total of 319 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 48 overs (two overs were curtailed due to rain) against Pakistan in their Group-B match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England on Sunday.
India made a formidable start as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, the two openers put on 136 runs in the opening stand before Shikhar Dhawan was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Azhar Ali off Shadab Khan.
Rohit Sharma clubbed a splendid 91. His 119-balls innings was studded with seven fours and two sixes. It was Rohit Sharma’s 30th ODI half century.
Shikhar Dhawan hit a marvellous 68. His 65-ball knock was laced with six fours and a sixer. Shikhar Dhawn reached his 18th 50-run landmark using 48 balls.
After dismissal of Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli contributed together 56 runs for the second wicket partnership before Rohit Sharma was run out by a joint-effort of Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed when India’s total was 192 for the loss of two wickets.
After departure of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh produced 93 runs in the third wicket stand before Yuvraj Singh was trapped leg before wicket by Hasan Ali when India’s score was 285 for the loss of three wickets.
Virat Kohli remained unbeaten with 81. He struck six fours and three huge sixes in his 68-ball superb innings. It was Virat Kohli’s 40th ODI half century.
Yuvraj Singh hit a quick-fire 53. His 32-ball innings was ornamented with eight fours and a sixer. Yuvraj Singh fulfilled his 52nd 50-run landmark playing 29 deliveries.
After dismissal of Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya added together 34 runs in the unbroken four-wicket partnership before India’s innings came to an end.
Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten with 20. He hit three sixes in his six-ball knock.
Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali got one wicket each conceding 52 and 70 runs respectively.
