It was a start of a much-anticipated series between two limited overs giants India and England and as expected cricket on display was of the highest quality.
But surprisingly the first game of the three t20I series played in Manchester at Old Trafford turned out to be a bit one-sided affair, as hosts were dominated by visitors in every aspect of the game.
Virat Kohli after winning the toss sent England in the middle to have a bat and English openers were off to a flying start. Things were started to look worrying for India as Jos Buttler continued his good form and smashed another half-century in t20I cricket.
England was well set for an enormous total but Kuldeep Yadav had another idea. His artistic and magical spell of wrist spin bewildered the hosts and no opposition batsman had any clue of his variations.
He picked up joe root, Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow in a single over to completely turn the match in India’s favour. He later got two more wickets and completed a memorable spell of bowling with figures of 5 for 24 in his quota of 4 overs.
England who looked well on course for 190+ total was restricted for a paltry 159 and India cruised the run chase winning with 10 balls to spare.
In reply, India lost Dhawan early but Kl Rahul lit up the arena with his flamboyant and elegant stroke play all around the turf. He registered his second t20I hundred in almost no time pummeling English bowlers into submission.
India won the game with a Kohli six and stamped the authority on this series. Twitter was all praise for Rahul but Kuldeep Yadav who also was awarded the man of the match award was all over social media.
Here are all the reactions:
Kuldeep Yadav is causing absolutely chaos ……. The Indians are a little bit better than the Aussies ……. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 3, 2018
While Akhilesh Yadav is busy picking up tiles and taps, Kuldeep Yadav is busy picking up WICKETS.#ENGvIND
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) July 3, 2018
Four years ago legend @wasimakramlive told me that KKR has a good spinner who will dominate Twenty20 Cricket… Kuldeep Yadav has arrived and making big impact … five wickets against England… wonder boy
— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) July 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1014202357234614274
Kuldeep Yadav, 5-24, is the first left-arm wrist-spinner to take a five-for in T20 Internationals. #EngvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 3, 2018
PA : Ma’am what a match, Kuldeep Yadav is asking so many questions !
Sushma Swaraj : Block kar ise abhi ke abhi…#IndvEng
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) July 3, 2018
Kuldeep Yadav's England Tour Begins…Ladies and Gentlemen, it's spinning 🤘🤘🤘 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/D6Ctsbatzr
— …. (@ynakg2) July 3, 2018
KL Rahul also has to play in the Tests………
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 3, 2018
This Indian batting line up – ❤️
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 3, 2018
Dear England,
Yeh Australian bowling attack nahin hai.
Thanks
Kuldeep Yadav #INDvENG— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) July 3, 2018
KL Rahul is showing signs of that Virat Kohli did in 2009-2010, who out of nowhere arrived and sealed his World Cup spot above Rohit. This isn't just great form, this is pure class and pedigree on show. Time for Virat the captain to be an MSD and let him flourish.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 3, 2018
England might be winning vs Columbia but quite the contrary at Manchester,KL Rahul just scored a 100* in 53 balls to take India nearly over the line!
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) July 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1014232788575268864
T 2856 – CONGRATULATIONS INDIA !!!! pasted England in T20I by 8 wkts .. INCREDIBLE .. just such SUPERIORITY .. KL RAHUL century .. amazing🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏🙏🙏👋👋👋👋😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/0cWt9Xhl78
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 3, 2018
KL Rahul jumps, shouts, dabs, nods, raises bat, hugs and secret handshakes Kohli. All the shots. All the celebrations. Superb innings. #ENGvIND
— cricBC (@cricBC) July 3, 2018
England needs 17 fielders for KL Rahul! #ENGvIND
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) July 3, 2018
India become first team to win 7 consecutive T20Is on three different occasions. #EngvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 3, 2018
One of these two teams will win the World Cup next year (and that team will be India)
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) July 3, 2018
