Team India defeated England in the first T20I where Kuldeep Yadav claimed a fifer, and KL Rahul scored a magnificent century against the hosts England at Old Trafford (Manchester) on Tuesday. The Engish batsmen were restricted to a meager score of 159/8 in 20 overs while India reached their target in 18.2 overs after losing only their both openers.
The wrist spin of Kuldeep, which helped him to register his maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket (5 for 24), also shaken the hosts at the Old Trafford. England was completely unprepared for facing the chinaman bowler which was evident in the game as well.
In order to counter the fierce challenge produced by the India team, English batsmen faced “Merlyn”, the spin bowling machine that is usually only used by the cricketers while preparing for the subcontinent tours and it has now been used ahead of the Cardiff T20I as well. As a bowler, Chris Jordan had to wait his turn, but the manner of Tuesday’s collapse clearly indicated the dying need of practicing against the mechanical foe.
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Talking about the machine, Jordon said, “Merlyn is a good addition. Especially when you don’t have someone to replicate bowling left-arm wrist spin. Obviously, the boys will be doing their homework. We’ve got some very experienced players in our dressing-room – some very, very good players of spin. I think our record against spin since 2015 has been one of the better ones anyway. We know we probably have to be a bit smarter against Kuldeep and their (other) spinners. But if we still try to stay on the front foot as much as possible and keep putting pressure back on them, I hope we’ll be okay.”
Over the last few years, T20 matches were used as the rest for some of the players and because of that, the fans are worrying that why the English players are bothering a lot about facing the wrist spin. However, the answer to that is the squad in the T20I series against India is close to first-string England side and they faced a comprehensive defeat and another such defeat will mean the series loss for the hosts and that will also increase the chances of their defeat in the following three-match ODI series as well.
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However, Jordon is looking at the situation with a whole different perspective, he said, “We’ve been on a high in white-ball cricket for a while now. One game, one defeat shouldn’t change our confidence whatsoever. The better team beat us on the day. It was a good spell from Kuldeep and then very good innings from KL Rahul (who notched a century). They thoroughly deserved the win but we’ll be looking to bounce back come tomorrow (Friday).”
As the number of English players were increased in IPL 2018, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that the familiarity between both the teams has been increased because of the same. Although Chris was quick to clarify that the friendliness will surely exist off the field as England look to square the series before traveling to Bristol for the third and final T20I on Sunday.
