Manchester, July 4: India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the momentum shifted decisively in but refused to single out Ravi Bishnoi after the leg-spinner's disastrous 29-run over in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday (July 4).
England chased down India's 190 for seven with an over to spare to register a four-wicket victory and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Jacob Bethell starred with an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls, while captain Harry Brook's 39 off just 15 deliveries provided the early momentum after the hosts had been reduced to one for two.
The result extended Iyer's wait for his maiden international victory as India captain and handed the visitors a third successive defeat in completed T20Is.
Asked where he felt the game slipped
away from India, Iyer acknowledged that the turning point was evident but stopped short of blaming any individual.
"I think we all know where it went away, but I don't want to pinpoint any particular player. The way we were cruising until the 15th over, I think we were doing exceptionally well. And then suddenly the momentum shifted towards them, and from there on, I felt it was a cakewalk for them," Iyer said during the post-match presentation.
Shreyas Iyer Reacts to Ravi Bishnoi's 29-Run Over
The 17th over of England's chase proved decisive. With the hosts needing 58 runs from the final four overs, Bishnoi bowled two no-balls and conceded three sixes and a four as Bethell took full advantage of the free hits.
The over cost India 29 runs and reduced England's equation to 29 required from the final three overs. Iyer admitted that Bishnoi's back-to-back no-balls hurt India's chances but backed the leg-spinner to learn from the experience.
"I think one, I was like, okay, he's going to come back strong after that. But again, in the 17th over, back to back, I think it haunted us a bit. But yeah, definitely he's got to learn out of that," Iyer said.
Bishnoi endured a difficult night in Manchester, finishing with figures of 0 for 60 from his four overs.
Shreyas Iyer Felt 190 Was a 'Phenomenal Score'
Despite the defeat, Iyer believed India's total of 190 for seven was more than competitive on a surface that offered variable bounce.
India had slowed down during the middle and latter stages of their innings before Tilak Varma provided a late boost with an unbeaten 24 off 11 balls.
"I think it was a phenomenal score on this wicket where there was variable bounce for the bowlers to offer. And then Tilak getting crucial 20 of the last over, that steadied the ship for us going forward when we came in to bowl," Iyer said.
The India captain felt his side remained in control for much of England's chase before Bethell turned the game around.
"As I mentioned before, the first 15 overs, we were on top of the game. And then suddenly, credit where it's due, the way Jacob played, I think it was sensational to watch him," Iyer said.
"He's got a calm demeanour as well, the way he paced his innings. He anticipated the loose balls, and that definitely took on the bowlers. "
Iyer Credits Sam Curran's Bowling Plan
India appeared on course for a total well beyond 200 before England pulled things back during the closing stages.
The visitors managed only six singles in the 15th over before scoring two runs and losing Shivam Dube in the 16th.
Iyer credited Sam Curran and England for identifying the ground dimensions and executing their bowling plans against India's left-handed batters.
"I think they analyzed the dimensions of the ground and also the wicket pretty early. The way he was bowling in right areas, not giving room, or not giving any ball on the body of our left-handed batters," Iyer said.
"Our strength is basically to use the ball and play it on the leg side. So, the way he was not giving us room and bowling right outside off-stump, I think it was very well planned. "
Curran finished as England's most successful bowler with three wickets for 33 runs from his four overs.
Shreyas Iyer Praises 'Fearless' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The match also marked a historic moment for Indian cricket as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the country's youngest-ever international cricketer at the age of 15 years and 99 days.
The teenager's maiden international innings lasted 10 deliveries as he struck two sixes during his knock of 14 before being stumped off Will Jacks.
Iyer praised Sooryavanshi's temperament and said he never expected the youngster to be nervous on his international debut.
"I feel he's got that unflinching attitude where he's fearless, and the way he approaches his game, it's just sensational to watch him," Iyer said.
"The way he bats in the nets, I think something to learn out of him, the way he plays his fearless cricket. So, I wasn't anticipating him to be nervous, honestly speaking, because he's played sensational cricket for the last couple of months and years. "
Iyer added that the Indian team was fully aware of what Sooryavanshi could offer.
"We all know what he's got to offer as an individual. So, definitely backed him, and the way he stepped up to this occasion, it was pleasing to see. "
'The Only Way is to Win From Here'
The defeat in Manchester was India's third successive loss in completed T20Is, a sequence that began with back-to-back defeats against Ireland.
Iyer, who remains without a victory in his first four matches as India captain, insisted the team could turn things around.
"Absolutely, I'm always on high spirits, and I know that this is the lowest you can go. And then the only way is to win from here," he said.
Harry Brook Reveals Why England Were Confident of Chasing 191
England captain Harry Brook said the hosts were confident of chasing India's 191-run target because of the wind and dimensions at Old Trafford.
"We knew that we could chase that with the wind and the dimensions of the ground. The idea was to get off to a really good start in the powerplay," Brook said.
England's plans suffered an immediate setback when Arshdeep Singh removed Phil Salt and Jos Buttler in the opening over.
Brook, however, launched a stunning counterattack and smashed 39 from 15 deliveries to turn the momentum back in England's favour.
"That didn't quite work in the first couple of overs. But we were happy with where we were after that powerplay. And then the way that Beth played there was phenomenal," he added.
Brook also highlighted England's work in the field as a crucial difference between the two teams.
"I thought the lads toiled around in the field. outstanding. And it's one of the things that we spoke about, trying to get off the rope and stop the twos," Brook said.
"I think we had 11 twos and they had five. So we were pretty happy with that. "
Brook Hails Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell
The England skipper also praised Curran's spell during a crucial period of India's innings. "It was just about using the dimensions and the wind as well as we could. That little spell that we had with him and Jacksie, I can't remember what over it was, but I think they went for about 10 or 12 runs. And that was vital in the context of the game," Brook said.
Brook reserved special praise for Bethell, who guided England home with a composed unbeaten 76.
"He's awesome to have out there. He rallies the troops really well when we're out in the field and gives me a massive hand out there as well," Brook said.
"He's so mature for his age, and he's got a very long career ahead of him. "
Jacob Bethell Explains How England Timed the Chase
Player of the Match Bethell credited Brook's counterattack for making his job easier after England lost two wickets in the opening over.
"Going into bat two down, Brooky set the tone really well there. He flipped the momentum straight back on them. And that made it easier for me to go out there and just give him strike to start," Bethell said.
After Brook's dismissal, Bethell shared a 67-run partnership with Tom Banton that kept England's chase on track.
Bethell said the key was understanding that England did not need to attack every delivery.
"In those kind of chases, you're not going rapid the whole time, but a couple of big overs and then the game swings. So, yeah, it was one of them that just kind of got timed really well," he said.
Bethell on the 29-Run Bishnoi Over
Bethell admitted he had initially planned to target the other end because of the wind and shorter boundary, but the two free hits offered by Bishnoi's no-balls changed his approach.
"If I'm honest, I probably would have targeted the other end more with my leg side, with the wind and the shorter side," Bethell said.
"But when there are a couple of free hits and then the bowler's down, you try and take him. So, yeah, that all worked out really well. "
Bethell eventually remained unbeaten on 76 as England completed the chase in 19 overs and took the early advantage in the five-match series.
England and India will now turn their attention to the third T20I, with the hosts looking to extend their lead and Iyer's side attempting to end their run of three successive defeats.
