India vs England, 2021: 4th T20I – Who Said What

India and England produced a dramatic show in the fourth T20 International of the five-match series at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. The hosts registered a thrilling victory in the game by 8 runs to level the series by 2-2 and keep their hopes alive in the marquee event.

The toss went in the favour of Eoin Morgan and he invited Virat Kohli & Co. to put the total on the board first. Just like the previous three games, the opening pair failed to stitch a partnership, and India lost their first wicket in the form of Rohit Sharma in the fourth over only.

However, Suryakumar Yadav, who took the field with the willow for the first time, emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for the Men in Blue as he played a sublime knock of 57 runs off just 31 deliveries at an astounding strike-rate of 183.87. Owing to the heroics by Yadav, India successfully posted a massive total of 185 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur bowl well

Batting second, England had a torrid start as Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave the first breakthrough to India quite early in the game. This was followed by a nail-biting affair as Jason Roy played a stunning knock of 40 off 27 followed by Ben Stokes’ 46 off 23 and Jonny Bairstow’s 25 (19). 

The visitors were deemed as the favorites to win as they needed just 46 runs off 24 balls but in the 17th over, Shardul Thakur bowled magic as he took to back-to-back wickets in the form of Stokes and Morgan. England couldn’t emerge from this setback and the hosts registered a scintillating victory. Hardik Pandya also returned with the stunning figures of 2/16 supporting Thakur.

England skipper, Eoin Morgan said

It’s definitely been the closest game so far and India played much better and thoroughly deserve the win. There was a lot more dew throughout the game and the game ebbed and flowed a lot. The swing and momentum of the game went back to India and the the last over made it interesting.

We are just trying to learn as much as we can in this series. The progression to the World Cup in seven months is important. We were very happy at the half way stage knowing that dew was around. The ball didn’t turn much and we were in control.

In overs 16 and 17 we lost three wickets in eight balls and that set us back. It just leaves too much for the bowlers against a top quality side. Bairstow and Stokes got themselves in. Starting fresh isn’t easy, but they managed to negate that. Their experience took over and they took their options.

Frustrating though then in the end to not get through despite the experience we have. We really want to play in must win games like these. Certainly all to play for now. Playing away from home and winning will be great.

Player of the Match, Suryakumar Yadav said

Really happy with the way things went, I’m just trying to be myself inside, talk to myself, keep things simple and it becomes easy inside. The team management and Virat told me to go and express yourself, play like you’re at the IPL

India skipper, Virat Kohli said

Proper game against a top side in this format. The wicket was better than any other game and the dew factor was massive, bigger than any other game as well. The wicket allowed us to get to that total. There were a few instances in the middle which were strange, but having said that 180+ was what we were looking at.

Special mention to Surya, he batted outstandingly well in his first game. Similar to Ishan. They are quite fearless having played in the IPL. We don’t have any T20Is after this so I want the guys to be confident and come out of it very strongly. With the ball we were quite clinical. Shardul turned it around but our powerplay start kept England in check and under pressure.

[On the third umpire’s decisions] There was an instance during the Test series when I was next to Jinks and he clearly caught the ball but he wasn’t sure so we went upstairs. If it is a half and half effort and the fielder is in doubt, there is no way the umpire from square leg can see it clearly. The soft signal becomes that important and it becomes tricky.

I don’t know why there can’t be an ‘I don’t know’ call with the umpires as well. It is similar to umpire’s call as well. These are decisions that can change the course of the game, especially in these big games. We were on the receiving side today, and tomorrow it could be some other team. You want these ironed out and keep the game really simple and linear. It isn’t ideal in high pressure games and have a lot of clarity on the field.

[On him being out of the field in last four overs] I ran for a ball and threw it and I just aggravated my leg a little bit and I didn’t want to make it into a niggle or an injury. We have another game in two days and I took the smart decision of going out.