New Delhi: Tilak Varma said thorough preparation helped them tackle the pace of England’s new-ball bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood as he helped India to a two-wicket win over England in the second T20I.
India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after wins in Kolkata and Chennai as Verma produced a man-of-the-match performance with an unbeaten 55-ball 72.
He took India home in a chase of 166 runs after the hosts looked in a spot of bother at the Chepauk Stadium. After the match Verma said that Indian batters had worked very hard on the net to face the challenge of tearaway quicks Archer and Wood.
“We were prepared. Archer and Wood are quick, our guys prepared well, we worked hard in the nets and we got the results,” he said.
Varma stitch together a vital partnership with Bishnoi that took India over the finish line in a tense chase. Speaking about their plans while batting in the middle, he said: “I told him to hold his shape and hit the gap. He played a flick and hit a four off Livingstone, that made it a bit easier.”
“The wicket was slightly two-paced. I was talking with Gautam (Gambhir) sir yesterday, he said whatever happens, you should play according to the situation. If team needs 10 an over, you should take charge, if something else, you should stand till the end.
“Team discussed that left-right combination will be a good option, it will be difficult for opposition bowlers as well.”
‘Relieved’
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was only relieved to see his team win after being in a spot of bother as they lost several wickets in the middle of their chase.
“A little bit of relief. The way the game was going, we felt 160 was good, but the way they bowled, good that the game went down to the wire. We have been playing with an extra batter for the last few series,” Yadav said.
“That batter gives us two-three overs. The chat was to play like the last game. Good to see we are playing aggressive brand of cricket, at the same time, guys put their hands up and stitched the small partnerships.
“Very happy with the way Tilak batted, something to learn for everyone. Good to see someone take responsibility. Ravi Bishnoi putting the hard work in the nets, he wants to contribute with the bat,” he added.
India took a 2-0 lead in their five-match series against England after their two-wicket win in Chennai as Tilak Verma produced a man-of-the-match performance with an unbeaten 55-ball 72. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
