Sunday’s VCA’s Nagpur Stadium witnessed a package of enthralling entertainment. The 2nd T20 between Men-in-Blue and The-Three-lions was nothing less than an Epic theoretical performance! The last ball-thriller ensured the Sunday night to be a wholesome experience n every way possible but more importantly the outcome came in the favor of the hosts- saving millions of heartbreaks!
ENGLAND
Frankly speaking, England was incredible with the ball. Their bowling department included Tymal Mills, Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes- who hardly gave any runs and ensured that there was dearth of runs in the batting-heavy team of opposition. They bowled brilliantly in the match-hitting the deck hard up in front and bowling slower deliveries at the death.
Moeen Ali was once again tight with his bowling, taking the priced scalp of Yuvraj Singh and finished with figures 4-0-21-1- which is almost exceptional for any offie to have such figures on a batting-friendly pitch. Wrist spinner/Leggie Adil Rashid also ensured the collapse of middle order and he was well rewarded for his variations. Liam Dawson was pretty expensive with an economy of 10.33 who was the only grey sport in the almost-perfect bowling theatrics.
HITS
1. Ben Stokes
We all are familiar what Ben brings to a team- Stability and Sheer Power!
His all-round performance gave England much firmer grip onto this game. He finished with respectable figures of 3-0-21-0. Ben scored 38(27) with 2 sixes and 2 fours to his credit- Thanks to the lifeline given by a ‘No-Ball’, otherwise Stokes was gone for a duck when Mishra shattered his timbers. Ben Stokes was just going to take Eng over the line, but the T20 specialist- Ashish Nehra sent him back to the pavilion.
2. Chris Jordan
“I am trying to establish my position in ODI’s and Tests as well and I am working very hard for it!”- Chris Jordan spoke about his dedication and concern in other formats in the press-conference after the first T20.
Indeed Jordan's caliber and performance was appreciable in the 2nd T20 as well, where he finished with excellent figures 4-0-22-3 also being the lead wicket-taker in the game.
He took the wickets of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and MS Dhoni-which apparently were the most important skills in the match.
He broke the opening stand, shattered the middle order and was extremely hard to hit in the Death overs, which speak volumes of his performance in this 2nd T20.
FLOPS
1. Joe Root
Scoring a ball-to-run 38 from 38 wasn't bad in any sense but Joe just didn't adjusted his game plan according to the circumstances either.
Having ballooned more than two deliveries into the night sky, Rootie found himself lucky enough as the ball fell into the gap on both occasions. This was indeed a message to him to rotate the strike to Butler as there was more power lurking at the other end (as compared to him). Bumrah was already testing the Englishmen with his slower deliveries and instead rotating the strike, Joe tried to unleash his pyrotechnics and got perished when his team needed the most.
The mind-freezing clash had ended thanks to the young paceman- Jasprit Bumrah who snatched the match from the jaws of England.
2. Sam billings
The young flamboyant English player-Sam billings made of fluent 12 from 9 with 1 maximum which he had scored from a suicidal leg-break from Chahal.
Jason Roy was looking as dangerous as he always looks on the other end. Sam being an explosive player was not able to stop his aggressive instinct and strided to hit a rising bouncer of the first ball of Ashish Nehra with a pre-meditated pull.
The very next ball, Roy skied the ball into the safe hands of Suresh Raina. With the floodgates open, India ensured the downslide of wickets shall continue and they were pretty successful in the attempt, as England kept on throwing wickets at the most critical times.
INDIA
With a loss in the 1st T20 at Kanpur, India were in the do-or-die situation. It was compulsory for them to win this match in order to stay alive in this series. But a horrendous display of pitiful batting was nothing less than a nightmare for the Indians. India managed a mediocre total of 144 for 8 in 20 overs.
In reply, Indians were quite decent with the ball though. Bumrah, Nehra and Mishra were the pillars which supported India’s weight of expectations onto their able shoulders.
India went on to win this last-ball thriller thanks to the perfect amalgamation of experience and variation- Nehra and Bumrah.
HITS
1. Jasprit Bumrah
The undisputed man-of-the-match had all the reasons to be that worthy candidate.
England needed 8 runs from 6 balls. Root was on strike and Butler was inpatient at the other end to take things to England’s favor. Both teams were in the game pretty fair but England had an upper edge as the chase seemed very much possible.
Defending 8 runs from the last over is a herculean task to master and India’s apparently best death bowler did it in style and finesse. Bumrah took the wicket of Root on the very 1st ball and the pressure shifted on the England camp. He finished the last over as W-1-0-W-B1-0- which is unbelievable!
India has found a world-class death specialist and Jasprit has been showing his caliber from the past couple of years as we have seen him evolved. With the fanatical performance, India has been revived in this 3-match series and will be hoping to produce a clean sweep in coming days.
2. KL Rahul
Yet another fantastic performance by the young Karnataka player-KL Rahul! He plundered 71 runs from 47 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes and kept his end stable. He built his innings with sensible selection of shots and anchored his stand.
Unfortunately, he was not supported by any of his able team mates. The disappointing failures of senior players-such as Yuvraj, Raina, MS Dhoni and the (yet-again!) misfiring of Pandey and Pandya piled up the misery of Indian performance.
KL Rahul being a technical batsman was doubted for his approach in T20-where much power is demanded. But with the stupendous display of his explosive innings, Lokesh Rahul has labeled himself a worthy candidate to play the T20’s-thanks to his gritty and versatile caliber.
FLOPS
1. Yuvraj Singh
The 35-year-old ‘Cancer Conqueror’ -Yuvraj Singh was not up to the expectations. The all-rounder T20 maestro was just not able to found is timing and was extremely pitiful to look at. Yuvraj just made 4 out of 12 deliveries and was not able to middle the ball on any occasion.
Moeen Ali exposed his struggling stand and Yuvraj lost his wicket to a Plumb LBW decision.
2. Virat Kohli
You might be surprised to see this name in the failures list but that's what the hard hitting truth is!
Virat Kohli is still being heavily criticized for many reasons- From the selection of his bowling squad, his own batting position and his batting order.
Virat wrongfully chose Manish Pandey before MSD and that decreased the run-rate considerably. Manish was looking to rotate the strike and Indian side was dependent on only one end. Pandey tried to hammer some balls with his might, but was never middling the ball.
He played at a mild strike rate of 115.38 scoring just 40 from 36 balls. The result was disappointing as MS Dhoni came too late and was able to play for just 5 deliveries. This proved into the teams deterioration.
Speaking about his individual performance, he scored a brisk 21 from 15 which included 2 fours and 1 six. But Virat ridded on the luck wave as he was given lifeline for more than 2 times.
On the 1st occasion, Sam billing dropped a tough chance at third man and on the 2nd occasion Chris Jordan caught Virat plumb in the middle. Wrong umpiring decisions piled up England’s frustration.
Coming to his strategies, Virat will have to choose his bowling option wisely. Selecting two leggies is not necessary. Pandya who was pretty tight with his line and length was not given a single over.
The batting order was a sheer mess. MS Dhoni should’ve been sent ahead of Pandey.
A very important thing which Virat will have to learn from his mistakes is that he must now be independent and responsible for his decisions. MSD has been undoubtedly instrumental in providing valuable suggestions, but Virat has now the reins in his hand.
The 3rd T20 will be played on Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore and mind it guys; it’ll surely be a treat of cracker-jacker as each side will lay their hands to clinch the trophy and the series!