India registered a seven-wicket victory against England in the warm-up match on Monday, October 18 at ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai. England posted 188 runs while batting first and India reached the target in 19 overs on the back of fifties from KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. However, it was Rishabh Pant who finished the chase in style.
After being asked to bat first, England lost a couple of early wickets of Jason Roy (17) and Jos Buttler (18). But, Jonny Bairstow (49) and Moeen Ali (43*) steadied the ship and helped England post 188/5. For India, Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets, whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar took one wicket each.
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In reply to England’s 188, India got off to a flying start as openers KL Rahul (51) and Ishan Kishan (70) stitched an 82-run stand before the former got out in the ninth over. Rishabh Pant then scored a quick cameo towards the end, scoring an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls. He smashed a six in the penultimate over and helped his side register a seven-wicket victory in the warm-up match against England.
— Sardar Khan (@SardarK07004661) October 18, 2021
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Before the match, head coach Ravi Shastri said: “Boys have been playing IPL for the last 2 months, so I don’t think they need too much of preparation. It’s more about them getting together and adapting together. Get some rhythm going, some energy going. Everyone can bat, everyone can bowl (in this game), so it will help us to get an idea about who is doing how. Not really (regarding any locked strategy). We’ll just see how things go and work a combination around. We’ll just try to see how much dew is around and accordingly decide to bat/bowl first. Also helps us decide about playing an extra spinner or seamer.”
India will begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against their arch-rival Pakistan on October 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
