Harshit Rana shines on debut as India bundle England for 248 in 1st ODI
Nagpur, Feb 6 (PTI): Pacer Harshit Rana impressed on his ODI debut as India bowled out England for a below-par 248 despite half-centuries from Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell in the series opener here on Thursday.
England blazed out of the blocks with electrifying intent after opting to bat, but India’s disciplined bowling and razor-sharp fielding orchestrated a remarkable fightback. Rana (3/53) and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) shared six wickets between them in a clinical display of bowling.
Meanwhile, Buttler (52), Bethell (51) and Phil Salt (43) scored the major chunk of the runs for England.
Making his ODI debut, Rana endured a baptism by fire. His first over proved costly, as the explosive Phil Salt feasted on his deliveries, plundering 26 runs in a ruthless display of power-hitting.
Three sixes and two fours rained down upon the young pacer, prompting Rohit Sharma to swiftly turn to spin, summoning Axar Patel (1/38) in an attempt to stem the flow of runs.
However, England's charge remained relentless, with Ben Duckett (32) unfurling an array of strokes, including a beautifully executed reverse sweep, to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Just when the visitors seemed poised for an onslaught, India struck back in sensational fashion. Shreyas Iyer produced a moment of brilliance in the field, running out the dangerous Salt with a bullet throw to KL Rahul following a mix-up between the two openers.
While Rana's 26-run over gave England the momentum, his fourth over which yielded two wickets changed the complexion of the innings, putting India in control.
First, India's two debutants -- Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal -- combined to get rid of Duckett. Jaiswal, stationed at midwicket, ran back 21 meters before executing a breathtaking full-stretch dive to pouch a stunning catch off Rana’s bowling.
Rana, now in rhythm, struck again just two balls later, forcing Harry Brook to edge behind to Rahul as England, once in cruise control, suddenly found themselves reeling, having lost three wickets, leaving their two most experienced batters -- Joe Root and Buttler -- with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings.
However, Jadeja cut short Root's stay at the crease, trapping him leg-before-wicket, further denting England’s hopes of recovery.
Buttler held fort for a while, scoring a rather sedate fifty. The skipper peppered his innings with four boundaries and looked to play a crucial role but top edged one off Axar straight to Hardik at short fine leg.
With wickets tumbling regularly, 21-year-old Bethell stuck it out to notch up a resolute fifty which included a lone six and three fours. But Jadeja swung into action to trap him LBW.
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Jharkhand civic polls: 12 pc voter turnout recorded in 48 ULBs till 9 am
Ranchi (PTI): Around 12 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in the civic polls to 48 urban local bodies in Jharkhand on Monday, an election official said.
Voting, which commenced at 7 am, is underway amid tight security. It will continue till 5 pm, he said.
"Voter turnout of 12 per cent was recorded till 9 am. Polling is underway peacefully," State Election Commission (SEC) secretary Radhe Shyam Prasad said.
Over 43 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 6,000-plus candidates.
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State Election Commissioner (SEC) Alka Tiwari exercised her franchise at ward number 40 in Ranchi.
"Polling is underway peacefully across the state and reports are so far good from every ULB. I would like to appeal to the voters to exercise their franchise," Tiwari told reporters.
Prasad said the elections are underway for the posts of mayor and chairperson in 48 ULBs, and councillors in 1,042 wards across nine municipal corporations, 20 nagar parishads and 19 nagar panchayats.
As many as 562 candidates, including 235 women, are in the fray for the posts of mayor and chairperson, while 5,562 candidates, including 2,727 women, are contesting the posts of ward councillors.
Prasad said adequate security arrangements have been made in all the booths.
A total of 4,307 polling booths have been set up for the elections. Of these, 896 have been identified as hyper-sensitive and 2,445 as sensitive.
