Published: Jan 29, 2017, 01:32 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2017, 01:32 PM (IST)
After the highs of Tests and One-Day International (ODI) series, India were brought to the ground by England in the first of the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series at Kanpur. Now this puts India in an unfamiliar territory. They are in a do-or-die situation where even a small mistake can concede the series to the visitors. In an unpredictable format where things happen at one go, India struggled due to their inability to adapt on Green Park’s track on Thursday. With back-to-back wins, England will feel they have the momentum (a key factor in T20Is) going into the second T20I. Will hosts put their best foot forward at Nagpur? Will the series be alive till the decider in Bengaluru? Well, there are many questions to be answered as the action moves to VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
England’s Eoin Morgan was in prolific form at Kanpur. Will he again go berserk and handover a series win for his side? Suresh Raina looked good in his comeback match whereas Manish Pandey and KL Rahul failed yet again. Both sides are filled with impactful players who look to set up a promising battle on Sunday. Here are some key clashes which may unfold on Sunday despite Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s face-off in Australian Open 2017 final being the bigger than the match itself. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs England, 2nd T20I at Nagpur
Morgan vs Amit Mishra: With 15 scalps and Man-of-the-Series trophy under his belt in the ODIs versus New Zealand, Mishra ticked all boxes to prove his mettle. Nonetheless, he was made to sit in the dugout at Kanpur. Kohli showed faith in Yuzvendra Chahal, who was India’s best bowler but critics termed Mishra’s ouster as “unfair”. Mishra is a clever customer and despite going for runs, he can churn out wickets at regular intervals. If both Chahal and Mishra play, England’s left-handers (Morgan, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali) maybe troubled against the two leg-spinners. Morgan might struggle against Mishra as he can angle the ball away with his variations and can keep him under check. Nonetheless, if Morgan continues to play like he did in Kanpur, India may well face another beating. It will be an enticing battle between India’s silent performer and visitors’ leader.
Chahal vs Jason Roy: With figures of 4-0-27-2, Chahal was the only shining armour in India’s tame surrender at Kanpur. He was introduced into the attack when England were 36 for no loss in 3 overs. He not only succeeded in keeping a lid on the scoreboard but also removed the openers in his first over. His first delivery went for a six off Roy’s blade but the youngster held his nerve. He flighted the next ball to entice Roy for another glory shot and the right-hander succumbed to the trap. He was clean bowled for 19. Seeing Roy’s aggressive nature, he might again fancy his chances against Chahal which can produce a key clash.
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah dismantled Root’s stumps on two consecutive deliveries in Kanpur but still had no success in his wicket tally. The first ball was a no-ball whereas the free-hit delivery saw the same result. Nonetheless, Root survived on both occasions which summed up India’s night. The tide can turn in no time in T20Is and both players will be aware of this. If Bumrah gets into his rhythm early in the game, he can disturb Root in the middle. Root, being visitors’ mainstay irrespective of the format, will be eager to play a key role in a crunch game for both camps. He will have to bat out carefully against the 23-year-old to put his side in the driver’s seat. An interesting battle awaits when Root comes out to take stance against Bumrah.
Raina vs Stokes: Raina looked determined to take India to a winning total in Kanpur. He seemed to be in his grooves with a 23-ball 34 on his home ground. However, he was removed by England’s vital cog just when he was looking to accelerate. Raina struck Stokes for a huge six by getting under the ball but lost his wicket trying to be cheeky. Stokes altered his length as he spotted Raina moving across and dropped a leg side yorker. Raina tried to nudge around but missed the ball. The writing was pretty much on the wall for the hosts with Raina’s dismissal. His big hitting skills will again be tested by a street-smart customer in Stokes in Nagpur. This battle might well decide which team will have the last laugh.
MS Dhoni vs Chris Jordan & Tymal Mills: India’s best finisher, Dhoni remained unbeaten but still could not take his side to the 150-run mark on Thursday. It was not Dhoni’s fault as England bowled exceptionally. They stuck to full length deliveries and maintained good lines. Dhoni managed a 27-ball 36 (not out) but was not enough to prevent visitors’ rampage. England’s bowlers, especially their frontline seamers, conceded only 30 runs in the last 4 overs despite the former Indian skipper’s presence. This will be in Dhoni’s mind when he takes guard in Nagpur. On the other hand, the English pacers will be upbeat to stop the run-flow from Dhoni’s blade and not let the crowd go berserk with chants of “Mahiya maar raha hai“.
Runs down the order are always essential and no one knows this better than Dhoni. Jordan and Mills will have to be at their best to again contain the run-scoring from Dhoni’s willow.
