Ahmedabad: England thrashed India by eight wickets in the first T20 International here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.
The visiting England side first restricted India to 124 for seven in their 20 overs before coasting to the 125-run target in 15.3 overs to win the first game of the five-match series.
A dejected Indian skipper Kohli said, ‘We just weren’t aware enough of what to do on that kind of pitch. Lack of execution of some of the shots. We have to come back with much more intent and clarity of plan. The wicket did not allow you to play the kind of shots you wanted to. It was a below par batting performance and England made us pay. We looked to try few things but as a batting side you have to accept that we didn’t bat well. Shreyas batted well but we did not have enough runs on the board. It is part of a journey of international cricket. You will have your ups and down but you have to back your game. For me it is about going out there and be positive.’
Jason Roy, said, ‘Happy to start with a win. I’ll take 49 and a comfortable victory for the team any day. The way we fielded was pleasing – I have fallen to a few bowlers of various types (be it fast-medium, leg-spin or slow left-arm othodox), but have batted against Adil Rashid in the nets. That did help me. You learn every time you play a game, with the number of games we’re playing, it should help me. He was striking the ball beautifully, looked in great shape (on Buttler).’
England opened the bowling with leg-spinner Adil Rashid (1/14 in 3 overs) who picked the wicket of skipper Virat Kohli in only his second over.
Before Kohli, India had lost K.L. Rahul as the first wicket to Jofra Archer in only the second over of the game. Archer returned as the most successful England bowler picking three wickets for 23 runs in four overs. He got the wickets of Pandya and Shardul Thakur as well.
Rashid, Mark Wood (1/20 in 4), Chris Jordan (1/27 in 4) and Ben Stokes (1/25 in 3) were the others to pick wickets.
The second T20 between the two sides will be played at the same venue on Sunday.