Bengaluru: It all boils down to this. A must win third and final T20 international.
It would propel the hosts, playing their final match of England’s tour in Bengaluru on Wednesday, to a series win in all three formats. The final scalp of what has been a statement-making series where the Virat Kohli-led side clinched both the Test series (4-0) and the ODIs (2-1) and are well poised to make a sweep of the series.
For England, it’s a shot at redemption. The visitors will be kicking themselves for not wrapping up the T20 series in the previous encounter itself because after all, eight runs in the final over is no Herculean task. A fact that captain Eoin Morgan attests to, despite all the controversy regarding poor umpiring.
But such is the nature of the beast in the shortest format of cricket. All it takes is one over. Something Jasprit Bumrah reminded everyone in Nagpur. With both the matches being low-scoring affairs and the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium sporting a new pitch following the installation of new drainage system, it will be interesting to see how the teams go about strategising.
Primed to be a run-scoring turf, this could potentially showcase the swashbuckling and belligerent striking of T20 cricket at its best. India have so far struggled to hit their potential while batting first, both scores coming under 150, but sporting a reputation as unrelenting chasers, the toss is likely to play a big part.
While last match’s hero KL Rahul will look to pick up where he left off at his home ground, captain Kohli, for whom it’s akin to homecoming owing to his long association with Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be keen to make it a big one.
Manish Pandey, who looked out of sorts in the previous outing despite the 30-odd under his belt, is also back at his stomping ground and will be hoping for a better show with the willow.
Backed by a stellar middle order which includes Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, all who are yet to hit it big in the T20 series, and a versatile bowling attack in veteran pacer Ashish Nehra, Bumrah and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal among others, India have enough match winners in their ranks.
Although Kohli may be tempted go with an extra bowler, the emphasis on runs might just keep him away from tinkering with the line-up too much. Meanwhile, England will have to get over their disappointment quickly and will again look towards Chris Jordan, yet another former RCB connect, and Moeen Ali to put the reins on the Indian batsmen even as the scoring burden falls squarely on the shoulders of Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and pinch-hitter Jos Buttler.
