- After the success in the four-match Test series against the visiting England team, the Indian cricket team went about claiming the five-match T20Is as well with a well-fought out 3-2-win margin in Motera, Ahmedabad. As the score-line suggests, the series was keenly contested, and Team India came out triumphally solely based on its superior all-around abilities by winning crucial moments that swung the ultimate result it’s the way. There were many outstanding performers from both sides, but few stand out for their breathtaking performances and audacious stroke-making abilities against a world-class bowling attack from both sides who were equally up to the task.
PC: GETTY IMAGES
- The Indian team was led solidly by the talismanic captain Virat Kohli and his batting performance during the series was outstanding, to say the least fetching him the Man of the Series award for three defining innings’. The hitman Rohit Sharma came good in the decider showing to the world what a sight it is when he is on full song taking the toll of the hapless bowlers. The biggest positive for the Indian cricket team in the shorter format of the game is the spectacular debut and strong performance from the long-in waiting stroke-maker Surya Kumar Yadav. An impressive manner with which the Mumbai Indian batsmen debuted augurs well for the Indian team in the future.
- There was never a doubt about the gifted batsman’s talent in the shorter version and when an opportunity presented to showcase the same, Yadav grabbed it with both hands setting the newly refurbished Narendra Modi Stadium on fire with his batting pyrotechnics. The successful return of the injury-prone Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is welcome news for showcasing invaluable skills in bowling opening overs as well as at the death that were on full display. Another positive to emerge is the return to bowling by explosive all-rounder Hardik Pandya who completed the full quota of overs in most of the games and successfully at that by picking up crucial wickets.
PC: VIJAY SONEJI
- Another India debutant Ishan Kishan too made a mark in scoring a rapid fifty leaving an impression on the pundits with his range of power strokes. Yes, the biggest disappointment for the home team is the lackluster performance of KL Rahul who could hardly put bat to the ball in four of the matches played scoring none. Though the captain and team management have backed the non-firing batsman-keeper as none can question his sheer abilities, it is in the best interest of the player to quickly find mojo back to entertain in his inimitable ways. For England, Jos Butler, David Malan, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Johny Bairstow were standout performers.
- Now the focus shifts on the 50 overs three-match ODIs which is a bit anomalous in the year of the T20 World Cup. Cricket fans will not complain though for the mother of all entertainment in the form of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to kick-start from the second week of April after the conclusion of the ODIs. Yes, we are in for a blockbuster IPL to quench the thirst of summer with a dazzling exhibition of cricketainment. Bring it on!
