Kanpur T20: Morgan's clinical fifty helps England defeat India by 7 wickets

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan. 26 (ANI): An all-round performance helped England beat India by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare in the first Twenty20 international match played at the Green Park Stadium here on Thursday. England skipper Eoin Morgan's brilliant eighth T20I fifty and his 83-run stand with Joe Root helped the visitors to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Openers Jason Roy and Sam Billings got England off to a good start. The two built a partnership of 42 runs from just 3.2 overs when Roy became the first batsman to be dismissed. Billings followed next and at one point of time it seemed like England may struggle in the match. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed both wickets. Earlier, Indian captain Virat Kohli opened for India along with KL Rahul and the duo put together 34 runs in the first four overs before the latter was dismissed. Kohli was soon to depart in the seventh over having put 29 runs off 26 balls on the board. MS?Dhoni blasted 36 off 27 balls and Suresh Raina smashed 34 as India managed to reach 147/7 in 20 overs. Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, England skipper Eoin Morgan wasn't disappointed by his bowlers, who kept things tight for the hosts and never allowed them to take on the offensive. England bowled exceptionally well to restrict a strong Indian batting line up to 147/7 in the 20 overs. England made four changes in their Playing XI from their last ODI by bringing in Tymal Mills, Joe Root, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid. The second match will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur on Sunday. (ANI)