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SPORTS JANUARY 31, 2025 | The Indian Eye 38

INDIA-ENGLAND T20Is

New Year, New Strategy: After blowing

‘Bazball’, SKY wants to play differently

England captain Jos Buttler iterated the stance of his team that wants

to become “aggressive” and “watchable”

OUR BUREAU
Kolkata
he calendar year changed, but India’s threat-
ening approach in the T20Is remained the
Tsame. After ending 2024 on a high note,
India picked up the momentum and kickstarted
T20Is in 2025 with a bang. With ‘Bazball’ taking
over white-ball cricket, India’s ‘Gamball’ ensured
England’s new era began on a disappointing note.
Brendon McCullum watched his side getting blown
away by T20 World Cup champions in his first T20I
as England’s white-ball head coach.
At Eden Gardens, where dew was always going
to have its say, fortunes favoured India as Suryaku-
mar won the toss and decided to put England to
bat. The Indian skipper believes the energy after
the toss had set the benchmark for the hosts.
With the amount of freedom that the Indian
T20I team is being offered, captain Suryakumar
Yadav said, his side wants to play a “bit different-
ly” from the way they played in the T20 World Cup
2024. “We did the same in South Africa. Hardik
had the responsibility to bowl the new ball so cush-
ion to play the extra spinner. Varun’s preparations
are on point, and Arshdeep is taking the extra
responsibility. There’s a lot of freedom given, we
want to play a bit differently from what we did in Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel and teammates celebrate a wicket during the 1st T20I match against England, at Eden Gardens
the 2024 T20 World Cup,” he added.
in Kolkata on Wednesday (ANI)
After a staggering bowling display, the a difference,” he concluded. on its batting approach, tearaways Mark Wood
stage was set for India’s flamboyant bat- With a 7-wicket win in Eden Gardens, the and Jofra Archer offered some reprieve with their

ters to raise the heat in Kolkata. Sanju T20I action will now shift to Chennai, where India scorching spells. “There was a little in the wicket
will look to extend its hot streak in the format on early on didn’t expect that, but if you came through
Samson and Abhishek Sharma didn’t stay Saturday. that phase, it was a good pitch and a fast-scoring
After the white-ball era of ‘Bazball’ began with a
quiet for long and went all guns blazing in shambolic performance at Eden Gardens, England ground. Some really good players in there, we’ll be
better for the run-out. Jof (Archer) looked good,
the powerplay. captain Jos Buttler iterated the stance of his team and Mark Wood bowled fast. It was exciting,” But-
that wants to become “aggressive” and “watchable”. tler said in the post-match presentation.
While Sanju’s time on the crease was cut short In the battle of heavyweights where a high-scor- Even though it wasn’t the start that England
by Jofra Archer, Abhishek (79 from 34 deliveries) ing run-fest looked destined, English batters came would have expected, Buttler didn’t shy away from
produced a fusillade of boundaries to knock En- under the weather. India’s perfectly executed plan expressing his admiration for new white-ball head
gland out of contention for victory. quickly overwhelmed England’s established stars in coach Brendon McCullum.
While India stood out with the ball and the the T20I format. “We want to be aggressive and watchable, but
bat, the efforts involved in the field didn’t go unno- Even though the toss fell in India’s favour, En- venue to venue got to assess conditions. Enjoyment
ticed. Clinical catching display with dives intended gland were expected to hit the high 180s, consid- of the game is always there. I’m enjoying the envi-
towards saving a single run showed the amount of ering the firepower they held within their arsenal. ronment. I’m a big McCullum fan and always have
hard work the Indian team has put in to improve in Buttler quickly identified the best possible route been. Enjoying working with him,” he concluded.
this particular spectrum. for picking up runs, but it wasn’t the case for the After succumbing to a 7-wicket defeat in the
“The fielding is one area we’ve been working rest of his compatriots. series opener, England will aim to bounce back as
really hard. Let’s take those half chances and make While England would certainly need to reflect the T20I action now shifts to Chennai.

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