England face massive run chase

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Deciding to utilise the early morning conditions - the match started at 9.00am local time at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Club - England captain Kevin Pietersen chose to bowl first after winning the toss hoping his seamers could exploit a green-tinged wicket.

But instead of England's seam-heavy attack causing problems, India's batsmen dominated and raced to a formidable total of 387 for five in their 50 overs to continue the momentum generated by their Test series triumph over Australia.

It is India's highest ever total in a one-day international against a Test-playing country and the most England have ever conceded, beating the 353 for six recorded by Pakistan at Karachi three years ago.

If England successfully chase down the target it would be their biggest ever successful run-chase, smashing the 306 for five they scored against Pakistan at Karachi in 2000.

The architect of India's massive total was Yuvraj Singh, who batted for most of his innings with a runner after injuring his back. But that failed to prevent him hammering a stunning 138 off only 78 balls.

Before Yuvraj's onslaught, which included 16 fours and six sixes, openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag had built the foundations with a superb stand of 127 in just 19.5 overs which set the tone for the innings.

It took the introduction of Samit Patel to halt their run spree when Gambhir, who later returned to the crease as Yuvraj's runner, mis-timed a drive in his 51 as he attempted to drive down the ground and was caught by Owais Shah running around from long off.

Sehwag, who had earlier smashed Paul Collingwood out of the attack by hitting his first two balls of his only over for six, fell four overs later for a sparkling 85 off 73 balls to a brilliant one-handed catch from Ian Bell as he attempt to pull Patel over mid-wicket.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff took the wicket of Suresh Raina and by the time captain MS Dhoni had departed for a spirited 39 off 32 balls, it was down to Yuvraj - who helped add 124 off the final 10 overs to complete the tourists' misery.