IND vs ENG: 2nd T20I – Ishan-Kohli star as India bounce back

After a rather lackluster show in the opening T20I, India stormed back in the second, winning the match by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The hosts came out firing on all cylinders and drew the much-needed equalizer.

After electing to field first, the Men in Blue hardly allowed the Brits to run away with the game. On the back of Jason Roy’s 46 and a few 20s from their middle-order batters, the visiting team managed to put 164 on the board. In India’s run-chase, Sam Curran bowled a wicket-maiden to start with. But from there on, it was one-way traffic in India’s direction as the Three Lions were left absolutely clueless.

Here are three talking points from Sunday night’s game:

India’s Disciplined bowling

When Roy and Dawid Malan had put on 63 for the second wicket, ominous signs were palpable for Team India. But after Yuzvendra Chahal trapped Malan, England stuttered somewhat, especially in the second half of their innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur were exceptional in the death overs. A number of English batters got starts, but none could go on and make them count thanks to some very controlled bowling from the hosts. Washington Sundar stood out with the most impressive figures.

Ishan Kishan’s terrific debut

Debutant Ishan Kishan didn’t show any signs of nervousness in his maiden appearance for the national team. After KL Rahul got out on a duck, the left-hander went hell for leather and scored 56 runs off 32 balls. His knock was laced with five fours and four sixes before Adil Rashid got rid of him. When the southpaw perished, India’s run-rate was 9.4 and they had Eoin Morgan and co by the scruff of their necks.

Kohli’s return to form

In the first T20I, captain Kohli failed to open his account after five balls. But this time around, he showed signs of a batsman returning to form. He blended caution with aggression and stayed unbeaten on 73 runs off 49 balls with five fours and three sixes. Even as the likes of Kishan and Rishabh Pant played their strokes freely, the 32-year-old Virat took the onus of playing until the very end, seeing his team through to victory.