MUMBAI: With the big Test series in Australia and the upcoming Champions Trophy looming, the India versus England T20I series might seem a bit random. However, if you take a closer look, each T20I series has its own significance.

With the next T20 World Cup just a year away, every series is a golden opportunity for players to shine and secure their spots for the global event. The competition for places is fierce, and players know they can't afford to slip up.

Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav have their work cut out for them as they prepare for the World Cup. With legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja retiring in 2024, the Indian team is still finding its footing, and it’s up to them to get everything in place for the defending champions when they host the ICC event.

England provided a solid challenge to gauge the players' skills. The series was tougher than the 4-1 scoreline indicates. The visitors snagged a win in the third game and put up a strong fight in the second and fourth matches. Only the first and fifth games were straightforward victories.

The coach and captain were really happy with how the team performed in the final match of the series at Wankhede on Sunday. They went all out to score 247/9 and then bowled out England for just 97 runs.

“This is the kind of approach the team management wants us to stick to,” Gambhir shared with the broadcaster. “We aim to play T20 cricket without the fear of losing. It’s all about taking risks for big rewards. The players have really embraced this mindset, which is all about being selfless and fearless,” he added.

“We’re aiming to consistently score around 250-260 runs. Sure, there will be times when we might get bowled out for 120-130, but that’s just part of T20 cricket. When the big tournaments come around, we want to keep playing this way without worrying about the losses,” the India coach explained.

ABHISHEK IMPACT

The current group has a solid edge because the young batters have grown up playing a fast-paced style of cricket, making it feel second nature to them. Take Abhishek Sharma, for instance. He really showcased his power-hitting skills, launching 13 sixes in his explosive 135 off just 54 balls.

What stood out was how he took apart the in-form leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Rashid has been tough to score against this series, but in the fifth T20, he ended up conceding 41 runs in just three overs.

Like any aggressive player, Abhishek now faces the challenge of maintaining that consistency. In his second T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare, he blasted 100 off 47 balls, but since then, he’s only managed one half-century against South Africa (50 off 25 balls). This series, though, he’s really stepped up, leading the run charts with 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 219.68.

After such a standout series, he can definitely expect bowlers to come up with smarter strategies to tackle him.

BATTING DEEP

Gambhir emphasized that for this strategy to succeed, having a strong batting lineup is crucial. When the batting order is deep, it gives the top players the freedom to express themselves. Typically, the Indian team doesn’t have more than three lower-order batsmen, and Axar Patel at No. 8 aligns perfectly with their approach. “It’s essential to have that No. 8 batter, even if he doesn’t get to face many deliveries, because of the aggressive style of cricket we’re aiming for. We want to push the limits as much as we can,” Gambhir explained.

VARUN’S SPIN

India had a clear plan for their bowling – they aimed to take down England with spin. They opted for just one specialist fast bowler and loaded up with four spin options. The standout performer was Varun Chakaravarthy, whose unique deliveries left the batters confused. He was spot on with his accuracy, and England struggled to figure him out.

In an impressive display, he ended up with 14 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.67. With leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi stepping up in the latter part of the series, India’s spin attack really made a difference.

Gambhir pointed out, “Having Bishnoi and Varun bowling together was crucial, especially during the middle overs. We knew England's batting lineup would come at us hard in the first six overs. The key was how we handled the phase between 7 and 15. Could we rely on those two to take wickets in the middle?”

SURYAKUMAR’S DIP

In what was otherwise a strong performance from the home team, the only downside was captain Suryakumar Yadav not meeting the huge expectations placed on him. Whether it’s the pressure of captaincy or just being too aggressive, Yadav had a rough series, managing only a top score of 14 across five matches. Opener Sanju Samson also struggled, with his best score being just 26.

Read Also: Sanjiv Goenka Expands Cricket Ventures: Acquires Manchester Originals in The Hundred

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!