England-India T20 Series 
1st Match Played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad played on 12 March 2021 
India 124/7 in 20 Overs (Sreyas Iyer 67, Rishab Pant 21, Hardik Pandya 19, Jofra Archer 3/23) 
England 130/2 in 15.3 Overs (Jason Roy 49, Jos Buttler 28, Jonny Bairstow 26*, David Malan 24*) 

England clinically dispatched India in the first T20 international by 9 wickets. Batting first India could post well below par 124/7. England cruised over scoring 130/2 in 15.3 Overs. Winning by 8 wickets England went 1-0 up the series. Batting in the first power play of the two teams was the difference. 

India had a bad day in the office.  It is along series of 5 matches. We are sure India would bounce back. Color of the ball changed from red to white. England meekly surrendered to India in two tests in pink and red back to back at Narendra Modi in tests paving India’s passage to ICC Test Championship. A reenergized English Lions ruthlessly hunted Indian lambs in anger. Wonder how circumstances alter cases. Only the other day English batsmen huffed and puffed against Indian spinners. Today much vaunted Indian batting was made to look very ordinary. 

Put into bat India run into deep water right from the start losing Rahul, Kohli and Dhawan for 20 by the fifth over. Wood and Archer bowled at lightening pace, Adil Rashid deceived Kohli. Rishab Pant and Sreyas Iyer tried resurrecting for a while. But Stokes removing Pant put paid to that endeavor. Iyer looked in red-hot form. Pandya gave him useful company for while. But their 54 runs in the 5th wicket proved too little too less. India could reach 124/7 with Iyer scoring 67 more than half the score.  Archer took 3/23. All English bowlers bowled to a plan choking Indian batsmen. Among the ruins Iyer batted majestically earning Indian innings some respectability. His 48 ball 67 comprised of 8 fours and a six. 

England had lot to prove why their white ball gave has revolutionized over the past couple of years. Jason Roy and Josh Buttler were off to a flier racing to 72 by the 8th over. Chahar trapped Buttler scoring 28. Roy was looking fluent. But he too fell LBW to the first ball of Washington Sundar.  England was 89/2. Damage was already done. England cruised over India with ease and comfort. David Malan and Bairstow did not let any further drama happening. 

Batting in the first power play of the two teams was the difference. 

India is too good a team not to bounce back soon in the series. 

BDST: 1500 HRS, MAR 13, 2021
SMS