Cricket: Alastair Cook led England to their first one-day international win over India on their home soil for the first time in 13 games in Rajkot.
England posted 325 for four - after openers Cook (75) and Ian Bell (85) put on 158 - before withstanding a strong India chase to bowl them out nine runs short.
James Tredwell took the man-of-the-match honours after grabbing four for 44 but there were plenty of other contributions that proved crucial — most notably Samit Patel and Craig Kieswetter crunching 64 from the final five overs.
“Obviously it was a good win. Everyone in that dressing room can be proud,” Cook said in an interview shown on Sky Sports 1. “It was a good toss to win in these conditions. It was a good wicket and we made the most of it.
“Clearly if we were being a bit greedy then we would want one of us to go on and make a big hundred and get the score up to 330-340. But then Samit and Craig came in and got 60 off the last five overs which made a big difference.”
England suffered 5-0 whitewash defeats in their previous two series in India, but despite a lightning quick outfield they were able to end that run in what was also new limited overs coach Ashley Giles’ first game in charge.
“A score of 325 to defend was a good target. They kept coming at us but at the crucial times we got the wickets,” Cook said. “Tredders was exceptional on that wicket to get four wickets.”