The Indian cricket team bounced back in emphatic fashion on Sunday as the hosts defeated England by seven wickets in the second T20I to level the five-match series 1-1 in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 165 for a win, the Men in Blue rode on debutant Ishan Kishan‘s 32-ball 56 and captain Virat Kohli’s 73 not out off 49 balls to chase down the target in 17.5 overs.
Replacing Shikhar Dhawan in the playing XI, Kishan clobbered four sixes and five fours in his innings to give the hosts a blitzkrieg start in their run-chase. The southpaw was later adjudged the player of the match for his match-winning innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Earlier, the Indian bowlers brought in a change of pace towards the end of the England innings to restrict the visitors to 164 for six in 20 overs.
India off-spinner Washington Sundar and fast bowler Shardul Thakur claimed two wickets each while pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked one wicket apiece.
Meanwhile, Twitter hailed Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli for their match-winning innings.
Another not out in a chase for India to win the game for his team – @imVkohli
Kevin Pietersen (@KP24), March 14, 2021
While the kids were having their moment in the lights, the master has looked supreme today
Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha), March 14, 2021
Form is temporary. Class is permanent. And today’s innings was another Kohli Masterclass in a run-chase. Only player to score 3000+ T20i runs. 50+ average in all three formats. ♂️ #IndvEng
Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash), March 14, 2021
Well played @ishankishan51 Loved your fearless approach #INDvENG
VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281), March 14, 2021
Told you all the @mipaltan were better than India … What a debut @ishankishan51 !! #INDvsENG
Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan), March 14, 2021
From u-19 to IPL to Team India, Ishan Kishan keeps climbing higher, continues to grow taller.
Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif), March 14, 2021
Sher ko zyada der shant nahin rakh sakte..#IndiavsEngland
Angry Rantman (@angry_rantman), March 14, 2021
This was the missing riddle in India’s T20 jigsaw puzzle: an explosive opener who can do तोड़ फोड़ #IshanKishan @ishankishan51 #INDvsENG
Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73), March 14, 2021
Virat to Morgan after 1st game #INDvENG
Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14), March 14, 2021
India and England will lock horns once again in the third T20I to be played at the same venue on Tuesday, March 16.
Feature image courtesy: BCCI 2021.