New Delhi:
In the opening match of the five-T20I series against England, held at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the pivotal role of all-rounder Hardik Pandya in their convincing 7-wicket victory. This win marked a strong start to India’s T20I campaign in 2025 and also signaled a disappointing beginning for England’s new white-ball era under coach Brendon McCullum.
Suryakumar Yadav emphasized that the team’s approach has evolved, aiming to play differently from their strategy in the 2024 T20 World Cup. “The energy after we won the toss set the benchmark. Our bowlers had clear plans, executed them perfectly, and our batting was the icing on the cake,” Yadav said during the post-match presentation.
With Mohammed Shami not included in the playing XI, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh took on the responsibility of delivering with the new ball. This decision allowed India to field three spinners – Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi – a tactic that proved highly effective. Chakravarthy’s three-wicket haul, in particular, was instrumental in restricting England to just 132 runs.
Yadav explained that this strategy was not new, as they had employed a similar approach in South Africa. “Hardik had the responsibility to bowl the new ball, which gave us the cushion to play an extra spinner. Varun’s preparations are on point, and Arshdeep is taking on extra responsibilities,” he noted.
The Indian batting lineup, led by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 79 runs from 34 deliveries, ensured a swift chase of the target within 12.5 overs. The fielding performance was also commendable, with the team focusing hard on improving this aspect. “The fielding is one area we’ve been working really hard on. Let’s take those half chances and make a difference,” Yadav added.
As the series moves to Chennai for the next match on Saturday, India looks to maintain its aggressive and adaptable approach, while England will aim to regroup and challenge the hosts more effectively.
