Yuvraj pulverises England to set up India rout

By Sanjay Rajan

RAJKOT (Reuters) - Yuvraj Singh struck the second fastest one-day century by an Indian to set up a crushing 158-run victory over England in the first one-day international on Friday.

The 26-year-old left-hander smashed 138 not out off just 78 balls to help India post an imposing 387 for five for their best one-day total against a test-playing nation.

It was the highest total England has ever conceded and ended in one of their heaviest defeats by runs in the 50-over game after they were bowled out for 229 despite fifties by skipper Kevin Pietersen (63) and Ravi Bopara (54 not out).

Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan then took three quick wickets in his searing seven-over opening spell to trigger a top-order collapse.

"It was an amazing pitch. But at end of the day if blokes play that way, you are behind the game straightaway," Pietersen said.

Opener Virender Sehwag set the tone for the run-fest with a dashing 85 off 73 balls after Pietersen handed India the initiative by electing to bowl first on a flat pitch.

Yuvraj pulled a muscle in his back, which was strapped, and employed a runner but that did not stop the runs flowing as he cracked 16 fours and six sixes in imperious fashion for his ninth one-day century.

"On a day like this the opposition can't do much," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Of course Yuvraj's innings was special"