A strong batting performance led by Sachin Tendulkar's blazing half-century helped
India post a commanding 324 for 6 against England in the fifth cricket
one-dayer here today. 
Tendulkar hit a 59-ball 71 and shared a 116-run opening stand
with Sourav Ganguly (59) while Yuvraj Singh struck a hurricane
72.
Gautam Gambhir came up with a valuable 51 at number
three and featured in a useful 94-run stand with Yuvraj.
India need to win the match to keep their hopes alive in the
seven-match series which England lead 3-1.
Both Tendulkar, who struck 13 fours in his ferocious knock,
and Ganguly overcame a slow start to flay the England bowlers to all parts of
the field.
Ganguly changed gears smoothly as he smashed seven fours and
two sixes in his 79-ball innings.
The duo's 118-ball association was their 19th century stand for the first wicket.
Overall this was the 24th century stand between the seasoned pros and it gave
their team a rollicking start.
Yuvraj Singh, with 10 fours and two sixes, then piled on the
misery for England with a sizzling knock.
Gambhir thrived on two dropped catches to become the fourth
batsman in the innings to record a half century.
Play was interrupted after the 47th over by strong drizzle,
raising prospects of Duckworth-Lewis chart coming into play later.
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