Ind vs Eng: Gritty England beat India by 3 wickets, to face Australia in final

Perth: After being rattled early in chase, Jos Buttler and James Taylor guided England to a three-wicket win over India on Friday at Perth. The win also powered England into the final of the tri series where they face Australia on Sunday.

Here is how the action unfolded.

After winning the toss, England put India to bat on a bowler-friendly WACA track. While India made a solid start thanks to Rahane and Dhawan, the Dhoni-led unit collapsed to 200 all out.

Needing 201 runs to win the game and seal their place in the final against Australia, England innings did not enjoy a bright start as Mohit Sharma dismissed in-form Ian Bell in the fourth over.

The England right-hander was pushed back in his crease and was caught plumb before the wickets.

(Photo: AP)

Indian bowlers kept England batsmen in check with bowling tight line and not giving away easy runs. While Moeen Ali tried to play some shots, Taylor was kept under pressure.

Eventually, Ali's patience ran out as he lofted one to long-off where Rayudu took a neat catch to give India their second and Akshar Patel his first wicket of the game.

Then, it was Joe Root who joined the openers in the dressing room as Stuart Binny took a fine catch off his own bowling to add one more wicket to India's tally.

Binny struck once again as he got rid off Eoin Morgan to push England on the backfoot. If that was not enough, the medium pacer ended Ravi Bopara's plans to steady England's sinking ship.

(Photo: AP)

The burst of wickets left Indian fans at the stadium in a good mood.

However, Jos Buttler and James Taylor joined hands to settle down the nerves in the English camp. The duo put up a hundred-run partnership to knock India out of the game.

Taylor played a Rahane-like innings while Buttler curbed his natural instincts to attack the bowling and brought England closer to the victory. But Taylor top-edged a Mohit Sharma delivery after scoring 82 and got out. Buttler followed him soon to the dressing room to add some last minute drama to the proceedings.

However, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad managed to hold their nerves and sealed England's three-wicket win and place in the final of the tri series.

Earlier, India were off to a shaky start pace and bounce at the Perth wicket tested the opners Rahane and Dhawan. The left-hander who has been struggling with form, had almost ran himself out. Fortunately for him though, the throw did not hit the stumps.

But the duo managed to settle down their nerves helping India gain some momentum to their innings. After 12th over, India had put up 44 runs on the board without losing any wickets. The pair completed fifty-run opening stand in the 14th over.

Dhawan who had a torrid time in Australia prior to this game, had Michael Hussey's backing to succeed.

Just when India were moving closer to an unbeaten hundred-run opening stand, Chris Woakes ended Shikhar Dhawan's stay in the middle. After doing all the hardwork, the left-hander was caught behind the wicket by wicketkeeper Buttler.

Virat Kohli then walked in to bat at number three. While Dhoni had earlier hinted that India's best ODI batsman in last few years may have to bat at number four, the decision seemed to have been reserved for another day.

(Photo: AP)

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane brought up his half-century in the 25th over of the innings. While he did not bulldoze the English attack, he made sure to keep Indian innings in a good shape.

But Virat Kohli could not offer much with the bat and got out off Moeen Ali after scoring only 8 runs. With batting powerplay around the corner, India promoted Suresh Raina at number four. However, that move did not work out as Moeen Ali dismissed Raina to push India on the backfoot.

Although Rayudu hung in for some time, his innings too was shortlived as Broad dismissed him on the first ball of the 35th over. Rahane followed him back to the dressing room soon as he edged one off Finn's bowling.

Stuart Binny was the next man to get out when Ian Bell took a scremaer in the slip cordon. Bell jumped towards his right and grabbed the catch to England their sixth wicket.

Skipper Dhoni too could not last long as James Anderson's delivery did not bounce and caught Dhoni before the wicket. Jadeja, who was batting in his first game since making a comeback, played an ill-judged shot to get out. Akshar Patel was the next man to depart without troubling the scorers.

India were 165/9 when Patel got out. However, a 35-run partnership between Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami made sure India reach 200-run mark. But right on the score of 200, Woakes ended Indian innings as Mohammed Shami edged one to Buttler.

England retained the same playing XI that played against Australia in the previous game while India made one change and brought in Mohit Sharma in place of Ishant Sharma.