Tilak Varma carries India home in nail-biter
England were proactive and stayed in the game but could not dislodge India's No. 3
England were proactive and stayed in the game but could not dislodge India's No. 3
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: S Sudarshanan
Some start to this series. Three more games to come. Rajkot is the venue for the next one, that will be played on Tuesday. Hope you enjoyed our coverage today, do join us back next week for more of this. And of course, on this website, the cricket is always on. Sidharth Monga's report is up, and you can catch Deivarayan Muthu's post-game content soon. Right then, that's all we have from Chennai tonight. Till the next time, on behalf of Chandan and Matt, this is Sudarshanan saying goodbye, goodnight! Ciao, aficionados!
10:47pm Time for the presentation
Jos Buttler, England captain: "Great game. Really exciting end, credit to Tilak for getting them over the line. We created a lot of chances, really pushed them close. Really pleased the way we went about with the bat. There was the aggression we asked for, nearly a defendable score. Jamie Smith on debut playing the way he did, Brydon Carse and the guys creating chances with the ball. We will improve on it all but happy with the style. They are going to play three spinners, so they are going to take wickets. If we take them for runs, I am happy."
Suryakumar Yadav, India captain: "A little bit of relief. The way the game was going, we felt 160 was good, but the way they bowled, good that the game went down to the wire. We have been playing with an extra batter for the last few series. That batter gives us two-three overs. The chat was to play like the last game. Good to see we are playing aggressive brand of cricket, at the same time, guys put their hands up and stitched the small partnerships. Very happy with the way Tilak batted, something to learn for everyone. Good to see someone take responsibility. Ravi Bishnoi putting the hard work in the nets, he wants to contribute with the bat. The boys have taken off a lot of pressure, the atmosphere in the dressing room is light. There will be days it won't come off, but we know what we want to do. If we are on the same page, good things will take place."
Tilak Varma, Player of the Match: "The wicket was slightly two-paced. I was talking with Gautam sir yesterday, he said whatever happens, you should play according to the situation. If team needs ten an over, you should take charge, if something else, you should stand till the end. Team discussed that left-right combination will be a good option, it will be difficult for opposition bowlers as well. We already played in South Africa, their bowlers were quicker. We were prepared. Archer and Wood are quick, our guys prepared well, we worked hard in the nets and we got the results. [Partnership with Bishnoi] I told him to hold his shape and hit the gap. He played a flick and hit a four off Livingstone, that made it a bit easier."
10:32pm A thrilling night of T20I cricket and India are 2-0 up in Chennai. An incredible run-chase given the way it eventually panned out. Never safe to call a winner. India began at breakneck speed. Just like England's bowling speeds. But they lost wickets regularly. Samson, Abhishek, Suryakumar, Jurel all fell. Which is when Tilak reduced a gear. And then he had to really maneuver it all in the end with three No. 11s for company. Two of those did their bits - Arshdeep taking on Archer and then Bishnoi with the twin fours. Not to forget the small little innings of Washington, especially that duel against Wood. Ufff, what a game we have had!
Ravi Bishnoi: "[On chat with Tilak] Let's try, we will get it. He was set and I did not want to play a rash shot because we had less wickets in hand. Today only I posted a reel on Instagram, saying why should batters have all the fun. When slip came in, I knew he would try and dismiss me with legspin. But I hit him with the spin for four. [On Tilak's knock] Tilak's one of the best T20 innings. There were big names in the oppositions. He is doing this from South Africa, did well in domestic as well. (He is asked what his next reel is going to be, he just holds his bat up and laughs!)"
Sampath: Tilak Varma in T20Is since his last dismissal - 318 runs in 174 balls at 182.75 SR with 24 fours and 22 sixes
Rob Boyd : "Did Buttler miss a trick here? Surely you would have wanted two of Archer, Carse and Rashid to bowl the last two but he had gambled on them earlier and none had any overs left?" He did have one of Wood's unused. Not sure what Buttler could have done, because essentially it was his captaincy that made thsi finish a close one. Otherwise India were running away with this. And mind you, England were quite short - at least 10-15 runs
Pavan: "Sunder hitting 14 Runs in that over made the difference and gave India chance to win this match. No undermining Tilak's Innings here"
Professor: "One of the best T20 innings during chase by this young lad Tilak. Take a bow!"
Anonymous: "This might be one of the best T20i matches i've seen. Not too high or low scoring and a thrilling run chase down to the last over. What an innings by Tilak"
While the review was on, Buttler was already readying the field for the last over. Overton and not Wood to bowl. Six needed.
10 needed off 8, Bishnoi on strike. Buttler taking time to get his field right. Slip in place
Piyush: "What's the run penalty for not starting the over within a minute? " Another warning will cost England five penalty runs
Deep point and long-off the two men deep on the off side, others are deep on leg
Playing his first international in India, he stepped up with both bat and ball to keep England in the contest till the very end
He has the ability to bat at any tempo and he showed an ability to overcome difficult batting conditions
Reddy has a side strain, while Rinku experienced lower-back spasms during the first T20I against England
England were proactive and stayed in the game but could not dislodge India's No. 3
Vice-captain hopes England can bounce back in clearer conditions in Chennai on Saturday