New Delhi: India were ready to fight till the end, which led them to chase down 166 runs despite being in a tight spot, to win their second T20I against England in Chennai, said Ravi Bishnoi, whose contributions towards the win shaped up the outcome of the match.
India won by two wickets in Chennai after their win in the five-match series opener in Kolkata for a 2-0 lead as Verma smashed an unbeaten 55-ball 72. His late-order partnership with Ravi Bishnoi took India home in a tense 166-run chase at the Chepauk stadium.
Speaking after the game, Bishnoi disclose what he and Verma discussed in the middle as India recovered from a middle order slump to win with four balls to spare.
“(We told each other) let’s try, we will get (achieve) it. He (Varma) was set and I did not want to play a rash shot because we had less wickets in hand,” said Bishnoi at the post-match presentation.
Leg spinner Bishnoi hit two boundaries towards the end of the match to ease the tension during the clse match, saying that his intention was to give grater strike to the well-set Verma.
“Today only I posted a reel on Instagram, saying why should batters have all the fun. When slip came in, I knew he (Liam Livingstone) would try and dismiss me with leg-spin. But I hit him with the spin for four,” said Bishnoi.
Rating Verma’s unbeaten knock as his “best” T20 innings, Bishnoi said he was keen on leaving an impact on the proceedings ad show that bowlers can also contribute with the bat at crucial junctures.
‘Credit to Tilak’
England captain Jos Buttler praised Verma for being the difference maker in the close game as they picked up wickets in the middle of the innings to make India earn their win.
“Great game. Really exciting end, credit to Tilak for getting them over the line. We created a lot of chances, really pushed them close. Really pleased the way we went about with the bat,” he said.
“There was the aggression we asked for, nearly a defendable score. Jamie Smith on debut playing the way he did, Brydon Carse and the guys creating chances with the ball. We will improve on it all but happy with the style.
“They are going to play three spinners, so they are going to take wickets. If we take them for runs, I am happy,” he added.
Ravi Bishnoi’s partnership with Tilak Verma took India home in a tense 166-run chase against England in Chennai. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
