RAJOT, India (AP):
Yuvraj Singh's aggressive century spurred India to a record-shattering 158-run victory yesterday in the series-opening limited-overs international against England.
Yuvraj belted an unbeaten 138 from just 78 deliveries to guide India to 387 for five in 50 overs - a record score on home soil. India's bowlers then dismissed England for 229 in 37.4 overs.
The triumph is India's highest by runs against England, whose previous biggest loss to India batting second was by 86 runs at Sydney in 1985.
Chasing target
Chasing the imposing target, England were never in the contest once its top order crumbled against the accurate pace attack that reduced it to 38-4. Skipper Kevin Pietersen (63) and Ravi Bopara (54 not out) provided the only innings of substance for England.
Yuvraj's ninth ODI hundred enabled India to post its second-highest ODI total ever - well behind its 413-5 against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup, but ahead of their previous home record of 376-2 against New Zealand in 1999.
It was also India's highest total against England, beating the 329-7 at Bristol last year.
England's attack, meanwhile, conceded more runs than ever in an ODI, surpassing the 353-6 against Pakistan at Karachi in 2005.
Yuvraj smashed the England attack for six sixes and 14 boundaries to overcome his poor form of recent months, which led to his omission from India's squad for the home Test series win over Australia.
"This is one of my best knocks in One-Day Internationals," Yuvraj said. "I didn't have to run, I just pressed the accelerator."
Delighted with start
Skipper Mahendra Dhoni was delighted with the dominant start to the series.
"Yuvraj was simply fantastic. On a day like this, the opposition can't do much," said Dhoni. "It was important to begin the series on a good note."
Pietersen, too, applauded Yuvraj's knock, saying: "When you watch an innings like Yuvraj's, all you say is 'well played guys'. It was an amazing batting pitch. A little touch and it goes for four, you touch harder and it goes for a six."
Yuvraj's assault came after Virender Sehwag (85) and Gautam Gambhir (51) gave India a flying start, putting on 127 runs for the opening partnership.
The English bowling figures took a battering, with James Anderson the most economical at a mediocre 0-52 in eight overs. Andrew Flintoff returned 1-67, Steve Harmison snared 2-75 and Patel took 2-78.
India's bowlers were contrastingly effective from the start, with Zaheer Khan (3-26) ripping through the top order. He removed Owais Shah (0), Ian Bell (25) and Flintoff (4) after fast bowler Munaf Patel (1-20) dismissed opener Matt Prior (4).
