Patel helps India set a fighting target in first ODI

Chester-le-Street (England), Sep 3 (IANS) A career best 95-run knock by Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina's quickfire 38 in the death overs helped India get 274 for seven against England in the first One-day International here Saturday.

The other valuable contributions came from Virat Kohli (55), debutant Ajinkya Rahane (40), and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33) after England put India in to bat amid overcast conditions at the Riverside Ground. Fast bowler Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad took two wickets each for England.

India were off to a measured start on a slow wicket with Rahane and Patel collecting 78 runs from the first 15 overs.

Rahane, who impressed with his maiden international appearance by scoring a fluent fifty in the one-off T20 Wednesday, proved again that he belongs at the highest level.

Both the openers complimented each other during the 82-run stand. Rahane entertained the crowd with his wristy play while Patel attacked every time the bowlers tested him with short balls.

Though the Mumbai batsmen could not convert his innings into a big one, Patel grabbed the opportunity he got after injuries to senior players. He went on to bat till the 37th over and was unfortunate to miss out on his first hundred in limited overs cricket.

The innings also saw Rahul Dravid (2) getting out in a controversial fashion for the second time on the tour. Dravid, playing his first ODI since September 2009, was adjudged caught behind by third umpire Marais Erasmus after on-field umpire failed to spot an edge of the Indian's bat off a Stuart Broad delivery.

The controversial Hot Spot could not a detect a nick but Erasmus put the decision in the bowler's favour.

Dravid had got out in a similar style after he was declared out off a Grame Swann delivery in India's second innings during the fourth Test at the Oval. His dismissal, however, led to a 103-run partnership of Patel and Kohli for the third wicket.

Raina and Dhoni provided a late flourish by hitting 60 runs off 54 balls.

Bresnan bowled a brilliant 50th over on the innings, removing Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin off consecutive balls besides conceding four runs.