England will square off with India in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Friday.
After losing the first game, the hosts will aim to come hard at the visitors to keep breathing in the series. Eoin Morgan-led team had played some outstanding cricket in the recent past. Thus, one loss should not dent their confidence.
On the other hand, it would be a perfect opportunity for the Indian team to seal the series. The tourists had ticked the right boxes in the first T20I.
Therefore, they would like to repeat their performance against the England juggernauts.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav were the architects of India’s win. Consequently, both these talented players have given a shot in the arm to the Indian team.
England will aim to strike their counter punch.
England wasn’t prepared for the wrist spin challenge, and thus they had floundered against Kuldeep Yadav. Subsequently, there is no doubt that the English batsmen are going to be more cautious in their approach.
The host’s batsmen have done their homework by using Merlyn. Well, Merlyn is a spin bowling machine used by England think-tank to counter Indian wrist spin.
Thus, they are expected to fare out better in their second arduous examination against Indian wrist spin.
India will aim to bag the T20I series.
Therefore, Kuldeep Yadav will like to unveil some new arrows in his quiver to get the better of English batsmen. The chinaman spinner had made the most of the conditions in Old Trafford. Furthermore, both Chahal and Kuldeep will be licking their lips, as another dry surface can be on offer at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul was able to grab his chance with both hands. It was a crucial knock for the flamboyant batsman. Ergo, it must have added to his confidence bag. Rahul focussed his energy on timing the ball, and he was able to borne fruits.
However, Men in Blue will know that England is going to hit back hard at them after taking the first blow in the series. Thus, the Virat Kohli men will like to be at the top of their game. Furthermore, they can not afford to get complacent against the potent English side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had proved to be expensive in the last match. Therefore, India will hope their pack leader returns to form in the second T20I.
Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Date and Time: July 6, 2018, 5:30 PM local time (10: 00 pm IST).
Pitch Conditions: The average score at Cardiff is 145. However, with two batting heavyweights, it is expected to be a run-fest. Dry conditions will aid the spinners of both teams.
Weather Conditions: The temperature is going to stay around 20-degree Celsius. Therefore, the clear skies are expected to greet the players. Thus, there is no forecast of rain playing a spoilsport.
India’s Predicted Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (w), Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav.
England’s Predicted Playing XI: Jos Buttler (w), Jason Roy, Joe Root, Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Chris Jordan.
Results of last five matches of both teams:
India: WWWWW
England: LWWLL
Stats:
- Rohit Sharma is 19 runs shy of the 2000 T20I-run landmark. He will become the second Indian after Virat Kohli and the fourth overall batsman to reach the milestone.
- Old Trafford win was India’s first T20I win over England on the English soil.
- India has been invincible in the last seven T20Is.
- England is yet to taste defeat at Cardiff in the shortest format. They have won all their four contests at the venue.
- Umesh Yadav is the highest wicket-getter in the powerplay overs in T20 cricket. The fast bowler has scalped 17 wickets in 16 innings.