Inspired England Knock India Out

England pulled off a three-run win that knocked India out of the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's.

Kevin Pietersen hit 46 as England scored 153 for seven before man of the match Ryan Sidebottom took two wickets and bowled an excellent final over to limit India to 150 for five.

India fought exceptionally hard, cheered on by a passionate crowd at Lord's but despite blasts of Yusuf Pathan, who was unbeaten on 33 at the death and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hit 30 not out, they could not overhaul England's total, rocked by early wickets.

Sidebottom struck to remove Rohit Sharma, who played on for nine and Suresh Raina, who spooned a catch to Luke Wright as India fell to 24 for two in the four overs.

Gautam Gambhir made 26 and Ravi Jadeja 25 but neither batsmen were able to score at quicker than one run per ball thanks to sharp bowling, much of short, which severely discomfited and hampered India's batsmen, and fielding from England.

The much-anticipated battle between Yuvraj Singh and England was short, the left-hander hitting two crisp sixes before he was superbly stumped by James Foster as Graeme Swann picked up his second wicket.

That left Pathan and Dhoni with a huge task and they almost got there but some excellent yorkers from Sidebottom kept England on top.

Pietersen hit 46 in 27 deliveries and Ravi Bopara 37 in 37 balls as England got off to a flyer despite losing Luke Wright for one when he top-edged the recalled RP Singh to be caught by Pathan at leg slip.

Pietersen and Bopara added 71 for the second wicket before a steady stream of wickets got India back into the match.