Last Updated on 1 hour ago by Charbel Coorey
Fresh off a shock 2-0 series loss to Ireland, world champions India have gone 1-0 down in the five-match series against England courtesy of a four-wicket defeat in Manchester.
The hosts fought back from tricky positions throughout the match to emerge victorious. India were on course for a score above 200, rattling along above 10 an over until after the midway point of the innings. However, England brought things back nicely, with only a final over onslaught by Tilak Varma getting India to 190.
Then, the hosts lost two wickets in the opening over. Harry Brook turned the momentum around very quickly, hitting 39 off 15 balls to give England a foothold in the contest. But, he was out within the powerplay and India looked in control.
England, led by Jacob Bethell, had to fight hard to ensure they didn’t fall too far behind the asking rate against Axar Patel who was at his economical best. Tom Banton hit 39 off 32 balls and Bethell himself was 42* off 36 balls at the start of the 17th over.
But it was that over that turned the match.
Ravi Bishnoi delivered two crucial no-balls, with both free-hits going for six. England, who needed 49 off 24 balls, brought the equation down to 20 off 18 balls and it was basically game over.
“I know where it all went away, but I don’t want to pinpoint any particular player,” India captain Shreyas Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
“It [190] was a phenomenal score, on this track, Tilak’s phenomenal 20 in the final over. Credit where due: watching Bethell, he definitely took on the bowlers.”
ENG vs IND 2nd T20 Reactions: India lose third-straight completed men’s T20I
India captain Shreyas Iyer has come in for criticism regarding his tactics and words at the post-match presentation, while Bethell received praise for an excellent innings.
Here are some of the reactions:
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his highly anticipated debut. The 15-year-old managed just 14, but his two sixes provided a glimpse of what he produced in the IPL.
The third T20I will take place at Nottingham on July 6.
