Cardiff: England batsmen made fewer mistakes in the second Twenty20 as compared to the Manchester game and consequently won the second match, said India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
England won the second T20I by five wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. Like his captain Virat Kohli, Chahal too said that playing against Kuldeep Yadav better was key to England victory.
“Kuldeep had bowled really well in the last game but in this game they played him more carefully. They chose which delivery they wanted to play or not play. In the last game they made too many mistakes, but they have also come here to improve and play.”
“This time around they took calculate risks against Kuldeep. They did not hit out against him in the first three overs. Only in his last over, they hit out because at that stage we also had a chance to win the game. The fact that with a target of just 150-odd we took the game to the last over means we bowled well,” he added.
The wicket at Cardiff was bit different to the last game in Manchester. There was a little layer of grass owing to which the new ball was flying around. It was a key factor why India’s top-order didn’t get going after being put into bat and despite Virat Kohli’s 47 off 38 balls, the visitors could only finish with a sub-par 148-5.
The third game of the series will be played in Bristol on Sunday. Shorter boundaries at that ground could be a factor too, but Chahal felt that the Indian bowlers, despite missing Jasprit Bumrah, are doing well in the series.
Alex Hales made an unbeaten 58 to lead England to a thrilling five-wicket victory over India on Friday that levelled the Twenty20 series at 1-1.
The hosts needed 12 runs off the final over, and Man-of-the-Match Hales blasted the first ball for six to bring up his fifty before England reached their target of 149 with two deliveries to spare.
“The unit as a whole did really well,” England captain Eoin Morgan told Sky Sports. “To get over the line has boosted our confidence.
“The momentum does ebb and flow throughout the game and the series. Alex played magnificently today. Small partnerships here and there are very powerful when you’re chasing.”
India, who won the first match by eight wickets, started poorly after losing the toss and slumped to 22 for three.
Rohit Sharma skied a catch off Jake Ball, Shikhar Dhawan was carelessly run out after dropping his bat, and Lokesh Rahul, fresh from a brilliant unbeaten century in Manchester, was bowled by Liam Plunkett.
India captain Virat Kohli (47) and Suresh Raina (27) rebuilt the innings with a patient partnership of 57 and former skipper MS Dhoni (32 not out) helped his side plunder 22 runs off the final over to lead the touring side to a respectable total.
