'The energy after we won the toss set the benchmark': Suryakumar Yadav

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India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his team’s all-round performance after their seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20I. India’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakaravarthy, restricted England to 132, while Abhishek Sharma’s 79 ensured a quick chase. Both captains highlighted their strategies and preparations for the upcoming matches.

NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav commended his team’s zeal for being excellent in every facet of the game after they crushed England by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

The bowlers put up an incredible display at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, bowling out England for 132, highlighted by Varun Chakaravarthy’s 3-23. Abhishek Sharma‘s 79 in the reply enabled India to reach the 133-run target inside 13 overs.

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“The energy after we won the toss set the benchmark. Bowlers had plans and executed (them), and the way we batted was icing on the cake. We did the same in South Africa, Hardik had a responsibility to bowl new ball so cushion to play the extra spinner.”

“Varun’s preparations are on point, and Arshdeep is taking the extra responsibility. There’s a lot of freedom given, we want to play a bit different. The fielding is one area we’ve been working really hard. Let’s take those half chances and make a difference,” said Suryakumar after the match ended.

This was the beginning of England’s new white-ball era under coach Brendon McCullum, although it ended poorly. Jos Buttler, the captain, acknowledged that the batting performance was not what they had anticipated.

“There was a little bit in the wicket early on, probably didn’t expect that. It looked like a really good wicket, they found a little bit of movement and we lost a couple of wickets. But if you come through that phase, it’s a pretty good pitch and obviously a fast-scoring ground.”

“Some really good players in there, we wanted to enforce the game that we want to play and we weren’t quite capable of doing that today against some good bowlers but we’re better for the run-out and we’re looking forward to the next one.”

Asked about Jofra Archer‘s 2-21, Buttler said, “He (Jofra Archer) always looks good, he’s a superstar, he looked threatening. Thought he could have had a few more wickets there. Mark Wood was bowling fast as well. To see two of them operate in tandem is exciting.”

Buttler promised England will show their aggressive side in coming matches. “We want to be aggressive, we want to be watchable. We are up against a team who are ultra-aggressive as well, so it’s really exciting.”

“Venue to venue, you got to assess the conditions and play well. I am really enjoying the environment. I am a big McCullum fan, I always was when he was playing, so great to be working with him in the dressing room now.”

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