"Momentum went away after 15th over": Iyer on India's loss in 2nd T20 against England
Manchester, July 5
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer said India lost momentum after the 15th over in the second T20I against England, with the match turning further in England's favour during the 17th over.
Backing Ravi Bishnoi, Iyer said the young spinner would learn from the experience and return stronger. He praised India's total as a competitive one and highlighted Tilak Varma's valuable late cameo in the final over. Iyer credited England's Jacob Bethell for his aggressive batting and Sam Curran for cleverly using the ground dimensions to restrict India's left-handed batters by denying them scoring opportunities on the leg side.
"I know where it all went away, but I don't want to pinpoint any particular player. After the 15th game, momentum went away. [On Bishnoi] I think he'll come back stronger. Then the game got away in the 17th over... he'll have to learn. It was a phenomenal score on this track, Tilak's phenomenal 20 in the final over. Credit where due: watching Bethell, he definitely took on the bowlers. I think Sam Curran analysed the dimensions of the ground early on and did not give room to our left-handers. The batters are strong on the leg side; he was not letting them play there."
Speaking about debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Iyer admired his fearless attitude, saying he never expected him to be nervous.
[Sooryavanshi debut] I think he's got that unflinching attitude. It's just sensational to watch. I wasn't anticipating him to be nervous, sensational cricket over the last couple of months and years. Definitely stepped up to the occasion, pleasing to the eye," Iyer said after the match.
A majestic half-century from Jacob Bethell helped England edge past India by 4 wickets in the second T20I on Saturday in Manchester. Bethell played a commanding innings of 76 off 46 balls laced with 5 fours and sixes each, leading the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series after the first match was washed out due to rain.
Bethell slammed Ravi Bishnoi for 29 runs and brought up an excellent fifty to get the game under control for the hosts.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Iyer's captaincy seems a bit reactive. Why not change the bowling after Bethell starts hitting? Bishnoi was taken apart, but there was no plan B. That 17th over was a complete disaster. India needs to rethink death bowling strategies—this isn't the first time we've leaked runs in the final overs. Disappointing, but credit to Bethell—he played a blinder! 💥🏴
I think the real issue is our batting depth. We posted 145, which is good but not great on a flat deck. England's batting is just too deep—they bat till No. 8 or 9. India needs to stop relying on just the top order. And yes, Bishnoi will learn, but in international cricket, you have to perform under pressure. Hope the team bounces back in the next game! 👊🇮🇳
I'm so proud of Tilak Varma! That 20 in the final over was sensational. But why does Iyer keep bowling Bishnoi when he's clearly having an off day? That 29-run over decided the match. England's Sam Curran used the dimensions brilliantly—that's why we need more versatile bowlers in our lineup. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut was exciting, though! Unflinching attitude indeed. 🇮🇳🏏
Classic case of India crumbling under pressure in away conditions. We always rely on one or two players to pull us through, but T20 cricket is a team game. Bishnoi needs to work on his variation—pace off, slower ones, anything! But full credit to Bethell—what a knock! 76 off 46 balls with five sixes? That's top-class batting. Ab tak toh series draw me jayegi, but
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