India wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan opened up on the costly over bowled by leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi during the second T20I of the five-match series against England. Ishan said the two free hits in the over helped England shift the momentum and ease the pressure during the crucial phase of the run chase.
The Men in Blue lost the match by four wickets at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4. India scored 190 runs batting first, but England completed the chase with an over to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Bishnoi struggled throughout his spell and conceded 60 runs in four overs.
Free hits made it easy for him – Ishan Kishan in Ravi Bishnoi’s over
Ishan Kishan said India felt they were in control before the expensive 17th over changed the match. He admitted that the free hit allowed England batsman Jacob Bethell to play with more freedom and change the pace during the run chase.
“We were always in that situation, we thought we had the game. But getting those free hits made it easier for them to get relief, to relieve the pressure. I thought we bowled very well. We had our plans, but at the same time, we have to give credit to Bethel because he took his time, he was in the middle for a very long time, and he understood when to charge the ball and who to charge.”
Before Bishnoi’s expensive over, England needed 49 runs in the last four overs. With India dominating the match for most of the match, Bethel remained calm, settled into his innings and attacked at the right time to put England in control.
We could have performed better – Ishan Kishan on expensive death overs
Ishan Kishan admitted that India let the match slip away by giving away easy scoring chances in the final overs. He said that free-hit balls allowed England to score big runs without the risk of losing wickets.
“We could have done better, maybe not have given him those empty balls in which he hit two sixes. So, 12 runs and two balls without making any mistakes. That’s a big thing in these T20 games because it is a very short format and maybe next time we don’t bowl them those extra balls.”
Bishnoi conceded 29 runs in the 17th over, which included two no-balls and a wide, while Bethel hit sixes on both free hits. England’s equation was reduced to 20 runs in 18 balls and the host team completed the chase in the 19th over. Shreyas Iyer blamed costly bowling errors after England’s defeat.
The best thing is that we are all together – Ishan Kishan supports Team India
Despite the defeat, Ishan Kishan said that the dressing room is united and focused on improvement. He believes the team has played good cricket and will learn from its mistakes rather than letting a defeat affect its confidence.
“Yes, we didn’t win but I think we are playing good cricket. The most important thing is how we realize in each of these games where we can get better. The best thing is that we are all together. We are all trying to improve. Not winning makes a lot of difference to your mentality too. But I think we are all mature here who will understand what is happening and where we can get better as a group.”
India have now lost three of their last four T20 matches, while captain Shreyas Iyer is still looking for his first win as India’s full-time T20 captain. The visiting team will try to level the series by taking on England in the third T20 match in Nottingham on Tuesday, July 7.
