On This Day: September 9, 2011 — Ravindra Jadeja Shines but England Edge India in a Thriller at The Oval

A prime example came on 9 September 2011, when England once again held their nerve to secure a tense three-wicket victory over India. Despite moments where the match seemed evenly poised, the home side always found a way to edge ahead. This game summed up the tour, highlighting England’s strength and India’s inability to turn opportunities into results.

India vs England: 9th September 2011

As the series between England and India rolled into its third ODI at The Oval on September 9, 2011, the stage was set for a gripping day-night battle. England emerged victorious, chasing a rain-adjusted target of 218 in 43 overs, winning by 3 wickets with 7 balls remaining, thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis method. India had earlier fought their way to 234/7 in their 50 overs, anchored by Ravindra Jadeja’s determined 78 and MS Dhoni’s composed 69. England’s reply was sparked by Craig Kieswetter’s fiery 51 and steadied by Ravi Bopara’s 40, despite a spirited effort from India’s bowlers, led by Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

India’s batting effort began under cloudy skies after England won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping to exploit the seaming conditions. The Indian top order faced immediate trouble against James Anderson, who struck in the first over, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane for a duck, caught by Jonathan Trott after a tentative poke. The early loss rattled India, and the situation worsened when Rahul Dravid, trying to steady things, was run out for 2 in the fifth over, thanks to Anderson’s sharp fielding. By the seventh over, India were in a hole at 13/3 as Parthiv Patel fell for 3, edging Anderson to the keeper. Anderson was lethal, finishing with 3/48 in 9 overs, using swing and seam to devastating effect.

Virat Kohli, expected to hold the innings together, couldn’t settle and was dismissed for 7, caught by Craig Kieswetter off Anderson’s bowling. At 25/4 after 10 overs, India’s top order had collapsed during the mandatory Powerplay, which produced just 25 runs for three wickets. Suresh Raina joined MS Dhoni, and the pair tried to rebuild against a tight English attack. Raina showed some fight, hitting a four and a six, but his aggressive approach led to his downfall for 21 in the 19th over, caught by Kieswetter off Stuart Broad. At 58/5, India were in danger of a low total, with England’s bowlers, particularly Tim Bresnan (1/32 in 10 overs), keeping the screws tight.

Dhoni, the captain, took on the challenge of rescuing the innings with his usual calm. He was joined by Ravindra Jadeja, a last-minute addition to the squad who brought fresh energy. Together, they forged a vital 112-run partnership for the sixth wicket over 136 balls, pulling India back from the brink. Dhoni’s 69 off 103 balls was a masterclass in pacing, with five boundaries struck with precision. He picked singles, found gaps, and kept the scoreboard ticking. Jadeja, batting with confidence, scored 78 off 89 balls, including 10 crisp fours, mostly through elegant cover drives. His fifty, off 73 balls, was a turning point, giving India hope of a competitive total.

By the 29th over, India crossed 100, with Dhoni reaching his half-century off 69 balls. The bowling Powerplay (overs 10.1-15) added 23 runs, though England’s bowlers, especially Graeme Swann (0/31 in 10 overs), bowled with discipline. Jadeja targeted Jade Dernbach, who leaked 53 runs in 10 overs, and Ravi Bopara, who went for 16 in 2 overs. The pair pushed India to 150 by the 40th over, completing their 100-run stand in 136 balls. The batting Powerplay (overs 43.1-48) was a game-changer, yielding 51 runs as Dhoni and Jadeja accelerated, finding boundaries with ease.

Dhoni’s dismissal for 69, caught by Alastair Cook off Bresnan in the 44th over, ended the partnership, but Jadeja pressed on. Ravichandran Ashwin joined him and played a blistering cameo, scoring 36 not out off 19 balls with five fours. Their 59-run seventh-wicket stand in 25 balls gave India a late surge. Jadeja fell for 78 in the 49th over, caught by Ian Bell off Dernbach, but Ashwin’s quick runs ensured India finished at 234/7 in 50 overs. The total was boosted by 17 extras, including 10 wides and 7 leg byes. Despite the early collapse, Jadeja’s gritty knock, Dhoni’s steady hand, and Ashwin’s late fireworks gave India a fighting score to defend.

England’s chase of 218 in 43 overs, adjusted after rain, started with Alastair Cook and Craig Kieswetter attacking India’s bowlers. The mandatory Powerplay saw them race to 63/1 in 10 overs, with Kieswetter setting the tone. He smashed three sixes, two off Praveen Kumar, and reached his fifty off 41 balls with three fours and three sixes. Cook, playing a supporting role, scored 23 off 34 balls before Munaf Patel trapped him lbw in the 10th over. The 63-run opening stand in 52 balls gave England a strong start, putting India’s bowlers under early pressure.

India’s spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, fought back. Kieswetter, looking dangerous, was bowled by Jadeja for 51 in the 17th over, undone by a turning delivery. Jonathan Trott, struggling to find fluency, fell for 11 to Ashwin, who bowled a tight spell of 3/40 in 9 overs and at 89/3 in the 18th over, England faced a challenge, especially after rain forced a seven-over reduction. The revised target of 218 meant England needed 123 runs off 138 balls, keeping the game on a knife-edge.

Ian Bell and Ben Stokes steadied the ship with a 42-run fourth-wicket partnership. Bell scored a fluent 23 off 25 balls but was run out by a sharp throw from Dhoni. Stokes, contributing 20 off 31 balls, was bowled by Ashwin, leaving England at 133/5 in the 27th over. With 85 runs needed off 94 balls, Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan took charge, and their 60-run sixth-wicket stand over 55 balls was crucial, with Bopara’s 40 off 41 balls showing composure and Bresnan’s 28 off 38 balls providing stability. The pair kept England ahead, picking singles and hitting boundaries when needed.

Jadeja, bowling 9 overs for 2/42, struck by dismissing Bresnan in the 39th over, raising India’s hopes. England had crossed 150 in the 31st over, and the Bopara-Bresnan partnership frustrated India’s bowlers. Ashwin struck again, removing Bopara for 40 in the 41st over, with England needing just 10 runs and the tension was high as Stuart Broad (5 not out) and Graeme Swann (9 not out off 5 balls) came together. Swann’s boundary in the 42nd over sealed the victory, guiding England to 218/7 in 41.5 overs with 7 balls to spare.

India’s bowlers tried hard, with Ashwin’s three wickets and Jadeja’s two keeping them in the fight. Munaf Patel was expensive, conceding 63 runs in 8.5 overs, while Praveen Kumar and RP Singh couldn’t break through. England’s chase was a team effort, with Kieswetter’s early aggression, Bopara’s calm batting, and Swann’s finishing touch proving decisive. The win gave England a 2-0 lead in the series, showcasing their ability to handle pressure and chase a tricky target.