The Brit Oval has produced some classic matches in recent history and today was no exception. 633 runs scored in the day and the match came down to the last over, where it was India, who snatched a victory to level the NatWest One Day International series 3-3 going into the last match at Lord’s.

It was an incredible nerve defying innings from Robin Uthappa, which was the difference between the two sides as his consecutive boundaries in India’s 50th over wrenched victory from what seemed like a firm England grasp.

India got off to the best possible start when Ali Cook and Matthew Prior were both dismissed cheaply leaving England 20 for two. But the home team battled hard through some tight Indian bowling to start making an impression.

The partnership between Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen built the platform for an England assault but the loss of three wickets including two calamitous run outs stunted what was becoming accelerated progress. At 137 for five, India were very much on top but this was to change very rapidly with the introduction of the debutant Luke Wright, who joined Owais Shah at the crease.

Wright injected the impetus that was required and Shah responded with a similar level of energy. They took England up to 243 before the Sussex all rounder was run out having smeared 50 from only 39 deliveries. This however was not to be the end as Shah went crashing past his maiden international century before Dimitri Mascarenhas finished the innings with five consecutive sixes to take his side up to 316 for six.

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly began the Indian innings in a similar fashion to the way that England had completed theirs. Making full use of the power plays and subsequent fielding restrictions, the experienced pair smashed their way past 100 before the first 15 overs were complete.

Not satisfied with this however, the players punished the English bowling attack taking their side up to 150 and in the process both going past 50. It was at this point that England got an opening and used it to dismiss both openers with the score on 156. Exploiting the dismissals, Monty Panesar together with part time spinner, Shah, pressurised the new batsmen to rapidly reduce the scoring rate. This brought about a reduction in the scoring rate and in turn a flourish of wickets.

At 237 for five, it was the 60 run partnership between Uthappa and Mahendra Singh Dhoni that took India from being out of the game to back into contention. Nevertheless, with the dismissal of Dhoni for 35, the pendulum of favour swung back in the direction of England.

With only 12 deliveries remaining Uthappa began to show his determination, striking timely boundaries to take the equation to ten required from six deliveries. Scrambling two from the first ball, a run out off the following delivery did not distract the right hander. India’s middle order hero managed to hold his nerve to clinically despatch Stuart Broad for consecutive boundaries to guide his team to victory and level the NatWest One Day International series 3-3 going into the decider at Lord’s on Saturday.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Get the England One Day Shirt 06/08, Adults.