In a high-octane display of power-hitting followed by a sudden stutter, India set England a target of 191 in the second T20I of the ongoing series at Emirates Old Trafford.
Young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and explosive opener Abhishek Sharma (43 off 24) provided a blistering start, racing to 50 in under five overs. Ishan Kishan then took charge with a measured yet aggressive 49 off 40 balls, anchoring the middle order alongside Shreyas Iyer as India cruised past 130 within 13 overs.
The crowd was on its feet, expecting a 220-plus total on a ground famous for batting fireworks. However, Sam Curran’s clever variations triggered a collapse in the death overs, with India losing wickets at regular intervals to finish at 190/7. Curran picked up three wickets for 33 runs, exposing some finishing frailties despite the strong platform.
The series remains level at 0-0 after the rain-washed opener in Durham, making this clash pivotal for momentum heading into the remaining matches.
For India, the result hinges on early breakthroughs and containing England’s middle-order hitters. For the hosts, it’s about capitalising on any momentum from the bowling effort and chasing with intent on a ground that has seen records tumble before.
Cricket fans across the globe are glued to what promises to be a cracking contest. Stay tuned as the chase unfolds — one thing is certain: runs will flow, and nerves will be tested.
