How unbeaten India beat England to win 2013 Champions Trophy
What's the story
India won their second Champions Trophy title on June 23, 2013. The MS Dhoni-led side defeated hosts England in a rain-curtailed final by five runs at Edgbaston. The 20-over match, which ended in an emphatic manner, went down to the wire. India, who successfully defended 129, became the only team after Australia to win the prestigious tournament twice. Here's how the match panned out.
India innings
India compile 129/7 under overcast conditions
England elected to field on a tricky surface under overcast conditions. Team India lost Rohit Sharma early on, but Shikhar Dhawan fired from the other end. Virat Kohli (43) also helped India maintain the run-rate as the innings progressed. However, the middle order failed to deliver, with skipper Dhoni departing for a duck. Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 33(25) propelled India to 129/7.
England innings
Morgan, Bopara resurrect England before Ishant gets in
The Indian bowlers also struck early, having reduced the hosts to 46/4 before the 10-over mark. However, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara kept the score board ticking in the slog overs. With 28 required off 18 balls, the two were driving England toward victory. Meanwhile, Dhoni's decision to hand over the ball to Ishant Sharma did the trick.
Ishant
Ishant got India back in the hunt
Ishant, who conceded 27 runs three overs, was brought back into the attack at the death. Dhoni's quirky plan of action turned out to be fruitful as the pacer dismissed both Morgan and Bopara on two consecutive deliveries in the over. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin successfully defended 14 runs off the final over as India were crowned champions.
Contributions
Stars who contributed to India's run
Ravindra Jadeja, a youngster back then, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. He claimed two crucial scalps besides scoring 33*. He also won the Golden Ball for finishing as the leading wicket-taker (12) in the tournament. While Shikhar Dhawan received the Golden Bat (363 runs from five matches at 90.75), he got a permanent opening partner in Rohit Sharma.
Information
Hat-trick of ICC trophies for Dhoni
Dhoni became the first-ever captain to win all three major white-ball ICC trophies (World T20 2007, World Cup 2011, and Champions Trophy 2013). Notably, India remained unbeaten right throughout the tournament, defeating South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.