India’s captain Shreyas Iyer stood by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi after his expensive over contributed to a four-wicket T20I loss against England, where Jacob Bethell’s explosive batting secured the victory.
IMAGE: Ravi Bishnoi and Ishan Kishan discuss during the 2nd T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday. Photograph: BCCI
Key Points
India captain Shreyas Iyer defended Ravi Bishnoi despite his 29-run over turning the tide against England.
England successfully chased 191, with Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 76 off 46 balls being a standout performance.
Bishnoi bowled two crucial no-balls, which Jacob Bethell capitalised on for sixes, shifting momentum.
England skipper Harry Brook praised Bethell’s maturity and talent, highlighting his impact on the chase.
Iyer also commended debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his unflinching attitude on the field.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer was understandably irate but refused to blame leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for his 29-run over that turned the tide in his side’s four-wicket defeat to England in the second T20I, here on Saturday.
England needed 49 off 24 balls while chasing 191 with four wickets in hand when Bishnoi, bowled successive no balls that Jacob Bethell smashed for sixes off the ensuing free hits.
Captain Iyer On The Turning Point
IMAGE: Skipper Shreyas Iyer was all praise for debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Photograph: BCCI
“I know where it all went away but I don’t want to pinpoint any particular player. After 15th (16th) over, momentum went away,” Iyer, who is yet to win a single game as India skipper, said at the post-match presentation.
When he was asked about Bishnoi’s no-ball problems, he predictably defended the under-fire bowler.
“I think one no ball, I think he’ll come back stronger. Then the game got away in the 17th over… he’ll have to learn. It was a phenomenal score, on this track, Tilak’s phenomenal 24 not out in the final over. But we have to give credit where its due: watching Bethell, he definitely took on the bowlers,” Iyer said.
The skipper was all praise for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made his debut as the youngest India international.
“I think he’s got that unflinching attitude… It’s just sensational to watch. I wasn’t anticipating him to be nervous as he has played sensational cricket during last couple of months and years. He definitely stepped up to the occasion, pleasing to the eye.”
England’s Perspective And Bethell’s Heroics
IMAGE: England’s Jacob Bethell hits a six during his unbeaten 76 against India. Photograph: Craig Brough/Reuters
England skipper Harry Brook was confident that they will get the runs as they knew that one side of the boundary was really short and one could hit into the wind.
“With the wind and dimensions of the ground, we knew we could chase it. We were happy where we were after the powerplay. The way Bethell played was phenomenal.”
Brook himself took 27 off Arshdeep Singh to set the tone.
“I think you’ve got to try and maximise the powerplay as well as you can. All our batters have shown innovation; can hit all around the ground.”
He couldn’t stop praising Bethell for his unbeaten 76 off 46 balls.
“He’s an awesome talent out there, rallies the troops well in the field. He’s so mature for his age. He’s got a long career ahead of him.”
Jacob Bethell Reflects On His Match-Winning Knock
Bethell, on his part. gave credit to his skipper for the first assault.
“It worked out well in the end. Just going in to bat, two down, Brooky set the momentum, made it easy for me. Everyone just kept chipping in. In those kinds of chases, you don’t go rapid the whole time. Two big overs and the game swings.”
On the Bishnoi over, Bethell said that he was lucky although he hit towards the longer boundary end.
“If I’m honest, I would have targetted the other end, my leg side with the wind, but you know, free hits, bowler’s down, and you take it on. The thing with playing on different dimensions is one side might be easier to hit sixes, but you can also score runs hitting it into the bigger gaps. We were good with that as a team.”