England vs India: spinners can dismantle sorry England again in T20
Published:England’s dismal one day series against India ended yesterday in the most fitting of ways – a humiliating collapse.
Chasing 272, Alastair Cook and Craig Kieswetter started brightly with an opening partnership of 129 before England lost 10 for 47 in just under 17 overs to complete a dreadful series.
They now head into their one-off T20 game against India on Saturday and are 6/5 outsiders to win – despite Kevin Pietersen being in line to make a return, giving England some much needed power up the order.
The Eden Gardens pitch looks set to have plenty of turn in it which will already be giving the England batsmen nightmares following their destruction at the hands of India’s two spinners on Tuesday.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were absolutely brilliant for India and left the English looking clueless at the crease.
Ashwin took an excellent three for 28 runs while Jadeja was even better, taking four for 33 that included the crucial wicket of a dangerous-looking Kieswetter.
Ashwin and Jadeja were the chief catalysts for England’s demise, but the contribution of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni should not be overlooked.
He scored an excellent 75 not out in his final innings and England have yet to dismiss him during their tour, while he has also been calm and assured with the gloves – a far cry from the forlorn figure who lead India to a 5-0 whitewash in their summer tour of England.
With India showing brilliant form with the bat and ball, backing them to win the 20 over game and complete England’s miserable tour looks very decent at 4/6.
