PHOTOS: Yuvraj shines as India cruise to comfortable win

Yuvraj Singh put up a brilliant all-round performance to lead India to a comfortable five-wicket victory over England in the first Twenty20 International in Pune on Thursday.

- Yuvraj stars as India beat England in first T20

- Scorecard

India now lead the two-match T20 series 1-0.

Yuvraj took three for 19 in four overs to restrict England to a manageable 157 for six and then blasted 38 off 21 balls to set up an easy chase, as the home team reached the target with 13 balls to spare.

Chasing 158, India openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane set the tone as the hosts raced to 41 within the first four overs taking full advantage of the Powerplay.

While Gambhir hit three boundaries in his 16 while Rahane hit two sixes in his 19. Although they didn't score many they gave the team a good platform.

Virat Kohli came in next and blasted 21 off 17 with two boundaries to his credit. But it was Yuvraj who turned the match on its head.

Yuvraj turned on the screws in the eighth over when he launched into inexperienced left-arm spinner Danny Briggs hitting him for 18 runs, including two huge sixes over the deep mid-wicket region along with a boundary.

Yuvraj slammed Luke Wright in the10th over before being dismissed trying to hit a fourth six.

Yuvraj's blitzkrieg allowed other Indian batsmen to play without pressure and ensure a comfortable win.

Earlier, opener Alex Hales (56) came up with a great rescue act after England lost the other opener Michael Lumb (1) through a run-out in the second over of the innings.

Then Hales and No 3 bat Luke Wright stitched up a strong partnership to help England get to a decent target. Hales carted Dinda to the mid-wicket fence twice with glorious pull shots when the home side medium pacer pitched short. Wright also played some exciting shots to take England on the right path.

Hales then completed his 50 off just 26 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, before England placed themselves in sight of a huge total at 89 for one in 10 overs.

Yuvraj, brought on to stem the run flow, struck in his second over when he had Wright stepping out to hit an aerial shot which was taken by Rahane at long-off.

He then sent back danger man Hales and England captain Eoin Morgan in the space of four balls to stem the flow of runs.
Joss Buttler then scored a flurry of runs in the end to take England past the 150 mark.