The Indian cricket team bounced back in emphatic fashion on Sunday as the hosts defeated England by seven wickets in the second T20I to level the five-match series 1-1 in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 165 for a win, the Men in Blue rode on debutant Ishan Kishan's 32-ball 56 and captain Virat Kohli’s 73 not out off 49 balls to chase down the target in 17.5 overs.
Replacing Shikhar Dhawan in the playing XI, Kishan clobbered four sixes and five fours in his innings to give the hosts a blitzkrieg start in their run-chase. The southpaw was later adjudged the player of the match for his match-winning innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Earlier, the Indian bowlers brought in a change of pace towards the end of the England innings to restrict the visitors to 164 for six in 20 overs.
India off-spinner Washington Sundar and fast bowler Shardul Thakur claimed two wickets each while pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked one wicket apiece.
Meanwhile, Twitter hailed Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli for their match-winning innings.
Another not out in a chase for India to win the game for his team -
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24)
While the kids were having their moment in the lights, the master has looked supreme today
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Form is temporary. Class is permanent. And today’s innings was another Kohli Masterclass in a run-chase. Only player to score 3000+ T20i runs. 50+ average in all three formats. ♂️
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Well played Loved your fearless approach
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Told you all the were better than India ... What a debut !!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
From u-19 to IPL to Team India, Ishan Kishan keeps climbing higher, continues to grow taller.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Sher ko zyada der shant nahin rakh sakte..
— Angry Rantman (@angry_rantman)
This was the missing riddle in India’s T20 jigsaw puzzle: an explosive opener who can do तोड़ फोड़
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Virat to Morgan after 1st game
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
India and England will lock horns once again in the third T20I to be played at the same venue on Tuesday, March 16.
Feature image courtesy: BCCI 2021.
