India heading for one-day series whitewash

(CNN) -- India took a step nearer a series whitewash with a convincing six-wicket win over England in the fifth one-day international in Cuttack on Wednesday.

Chasing England's 270 for four wickets, India reached their target with over six overs to spare to take a 5-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Opener Virender Sehwag once again proved a thorn in England's side by making 91, adding 136 for the first wicket with Sachin Tendulkar (50) to set the home side on course for victory.

England were given brief hope when India lost three quick wickets, including danger man Yuvraj Singh for just six, but half centuries from captain MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina saw them home.

England had made their highest score of the series, with captain Kevin Pietersen leading from the front with 111 not out, receiving excellent support at the death from Owais Shah, who was undefeated on 66.

But England again lost their way in mid-innings after a quick start, Paul Collingwood's stodgy 40 hardly helping the cause.

Indian spinners Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj limited the run rate until Pietersen and Shah scored freely in the closing overs.

Under the lights and in dewy conditions, it looked a testing total until Sehwag, a key figure in India's fourth win in Bangalore, blasted 15 boundaries and a six.

Pietersen told Sky Sports that he believed their score was competitive, but added: "We've been outplayed again, Virender (Sehwag) and Sachin (Tendulkar) played very well at the top of the order."

To add to England's woes, young paceman Stuart Broad suffered a hamstring injury and could not complete his overs.

Andrew Flintoff is also struggling with a left ankle injury and England called up Sajid Mahmood and uncapped seamer Amjad Khan into their squad for the sixth one-day international in Gauhati.