Indian batting failed to deliver when it mattered the most as they were restricted to a modest 129 for seven by a disciplined England attack in a rain-curtailed final of the ICC Champions Trophy here today.
Couple of stoppages after the match finally started also didn't help India's cause. Barring in-form Shikhar Dhawan (31) and Virat Kohli (43, 34 balls, 4x4, 1x6), none of the other top-order batsmen made significant contribution after India were put into bat.
Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja (33 no)added 47 runs for the sixth wicket after India were reduced to 66 for five.
Ravi Bopara's (3/20 in 4 overs) brilliant incisive spell in the middle overs proved to be invaluable for England's cause as the largely untested Indian middle-order couldn't stand up and be counted on the D-Day.
Rohit Sharma (9) yet again baffled one and all as he played an irresponsible shot off a Broad delivery which came in after pitching. Rohit didn't have any footwork as he played across the line to get castled.
In-form Dhawan had no such worries as he started from where he had left against Sri Lanka in the semi-final. The first significant shot was a slash over backward point off Broad for a six.
The start-stop affair did hamper the proceedings and Dhawan hit a slog sweep off James Tredwell after the second rain interruption and followed with another deft reverse sweep to enter the 30's.
However it was Bopara's gentle seam-up stuff that brought about an end to Dhawan's innings. The ball stopped on the left-hander who tried to make room to hoick it over cover but only managed to find Tredwell. Dhawan's 31 came off 24 balls with two boundaries and a six but importantly he tried to attack the English bowlers despite interruptions.
The first 10 overs produced 59 runs at the expense of both openers.
