England vs India, second T20I: Players to watch out for

The Indian and English sides are arguably the two best sides limited over sides in international cricket today, and the 2nd T20I promises to be a close and exciting contest. The first T20I went the Indians’ way but the England team will be eager to bounce back.

The English have come out all guns blazing in their trademark aggressive approach in the recently concluded series against a weakened Australian side as well as the first T20I where it did not quite come off. However, they are still an exceptionally strong side and they will likely be better prepared to take on the Indian side in the 2nd T20I. They will have to be particularly wary of the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, nicknamed KulCha, who have been stifling the opposition in the middle overs.

The Indian team seems to have adapted rather quickly to English conditions, which is a promising sign with a long tour ahead. Their excellent performance in the first T20I thanks to the crafty bowling of Kuldeep Yadav and an exquisite batting performance by KL Rahul helped them overcome the English but they will have to be at their best again to have a shot at winning the 2nd T20I.

For either side to win, it has to be a team effort with good performances by all the players across the board, but here are some of the key players likely to fire from both sides for tonight’s blockbuster match.

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#1: England – Jos Buttler

What a run of form Jos Buttler has been having since the tail end of IPL 2018 where he got a chance to open the innings for Rajasthan Royals. After a strong showing in the two tests against Pakistan, he followed that up with 275 runs in 5 matches at an average of 137.50 and striking at 112.70 against Australia in the 5 match ODI series. He has scored 61 (30) and 69 (46) in his last two innings in the T20Is against Australia and India respectively.

Jos Buttler is the key man for England’s hopes and the danger man for India and he could wreak havoc if not dismissed early.

#2: England – Moeen Ali

England v Australia - 1st NatWest International T20

England all-rounder Moeen Ali had a strong outing against Australia in the recently concluded ODI series, picking up 12 wickets across the 5 games at 17.25 apiece. However, the batsmen in T20Is have taken a liking to his bowling, and he has gone for 95 runs in 6.2 overs.

Ali will be eager to silence his critics with strong performances with both bat and ball in hand in the second T20I if England play him.

#3: England – Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid has been bowling economically and picking up regular wickets

Wrist spinners are the flavour of T20s of late and Adil Rashid is no exception. He picked up a bagful of wickets against Australia, both in the solitary T20I and the ODIs, at an excellent average. Leg spinners have the tendency to go for a lot of runs as a compromise to their wicket taking ability, but Rashid has had a very good economy rate to go with his scalps.

In the first T20I, Rashid was the pick of the English bowlers, going for only 25 runs in his 4 overs during KL Rahul’s rampage, in addition, picking up the valuable wicket of Rohit Sharma. Rashid could have a big part to play for England’s cause in the 2nd T20I.

#4: India – KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been in sensational form

KL Rahul had an outstanding IPL season in which he scored 659 runs at an average of 54.91, striking at 158.41. He has backed that up with rich returns in the two T20Is, scoring 101 (54) and 70 (36) in his last two innings. With how sweetly he has been timing the ball recently, Rahul will be looking to cash in against the English attack and amass a pile of runs again.

Rahul’s recent form makes him one of the most, if not the most, important Indian wicket and England will be looking to get him out as soon as possible.

#5: India – Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has been regularly outfoxing batsmen

Left-arm leg spinners are a rarity in cricket and this lack of experience with facing them along with Kuldeep Yadav’s action which seemingly gives nothing away and his intelligent bowling has made him quite the task to face. He has not gone wicketless in his last 8 outings and has been bowling splendidly in English conditions that are traditionally tricky for spinners.

With returns of 4/21 and 3/16 against Ireland and 5/24 against a strong English side in the first T20I, Kuldeep’s overs will be crucial for India’s chances in the 2nd T20I.

#6: India – MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has been performing well both in front and behind the stumps

Often, if a wicketkeeper is doing his or her job well, there is not much chatter about them and this has been the case with MS Dhoni who has been tidy behind the stumps, affecting two stumpings in the first T20I. Dhoni has also been in great nick with the bat, and his strong IPL season attests to that fact.

He has not had much of a chance to bat yet in the tour of England and Ireland due to the dominance of the Indian top order, but if the massive six against Ireland was any sign, he is raring to go.

Dhoni’s form is a great sign for team India and if there are any batting wobbles, he seems up to the task of salvaging and closing out the innings effectively.