India's much-awaited tour to England started off with a thumping 8 wicket win over England in the first T20 that took place in Old Trafford, Manchester. Kuldeep Yadav was awarded the Man of the Match for his exceptional exploits in Manchester. Yadav's five-wicket haul against England led India to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Team Circle of Cricket gets down to list the five talking points from the contest.
Buttler's knock
England wicket-keeper batsman, Jos Buttler was promoted up in the batting order. He came to open with Jason Roy and continued his explosive batting form as he slammed 69 runs off 46 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. After watching Buttler bat against India in the first T20, one can say that he has been in marvellous form since the 11th edition of Indian Premier League. If the 27-year old cricketer maintains his fitness and form ahead of the 2019 World Cup, he can definitely take England to their first ever World Cup title.
Alongside Jos Buttler, it was Jason Roy who provided England a very quick start in the powerplay overs. Both the players gathered 50 runs in 5 overs for the first wicket partnership before Kuldeep Yadav came to the party and destroyed England's batting line-up.
Kuldeep's five-wicket haul
Indian wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav became the second Indian spinner after Yuzvendra Chahal to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is. Kuldeep Yadav took five wickets against England by conceding 24 runs in his four overs quota. The 23-year old cricketer has been performing magnificently since the T20Is against Ireland where he clinched seven wickets in the two matches at Malahide.
Kuldeep Yadav was even a star bowler for his IPL franchise in the latest tournament. He played 16 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders grabbing 17 wickets at an economy of 8.14. Kuldeep Yadav will play a huge role in India's next year World Cup campaign in England.
Umesh Yadav's inclusion in playing XI
Umesh Yadav was included in India's playing XI for the first T20 against England as he replaced Jasprit Bumrah who got injured ahead of the T20I series. The 30-year old cricketer provided India with a very economical spell as he just gave away only 21 runs in his four overs. He even provided the team with an important breakthrough in the form of Jason Roy's wicket despite little support from his bowling partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar who flooded runs in his quota.
Umesh Yadav had sizzled with his pace and skiddiness that made it difficult for English batsmen to play him. His presence in Indian cricket team can lead the visitors to win the T20I series.
KL Rahul's second T20I century
India were a given a small target of 160 to chase in the second innings to which India's explosive opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan fell early. KL Rahul then came at No.3 and took the opportunity to bat ahead of Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
While batting along Rohit Sharma, Rahul carried his IPL form against England as he recorded his second T20I century against England in the first T20 match. He hammered unbeaten on 101 runs facing 54 deliveries at a strike rate of 187, hitting 15 boundaries in total. Rahul is now looking more comfortable and confident to play in India's World Cup squad next year.
India's thumping 8 wicket win
India clinched victory over England by 8 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. This was India's seventh successive T20I win. Rahul did really well with his promotion, it's not every day that you outclass, outpace, outshine Rohit, but such was KL's day. He's carrying a pristine form and he would like to continue batting like this.
India's next match against England will take place on July 6 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, where the home team will look up to level the series and visitors, will want to win the T20 series.
