Freedom Fuels India’s New T20 Approach, Says Suryakumar Yadav

Indian skipper highlights fresh strategies and team synergy after a dominant 7-wicket victory over England

Kolkata, January 23: Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his team’s intent to adopt a fresh approach in the shortest format, aiming to move away from their performance style in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This shift was evident as India showcased a dominant all-around display, defeating England by seven wickets in the T20I series opener at Eden Gardens.

The victory marked a strong start to 2025, with India carrying forward their aggressive momentum from the previous year. Brendon McCullum’s debut as England’s white-ball head coach ended in disappointment as the reigning T20 World Cup champions outplayed his side comprehensively.

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Dominant Bowling Performance

Winning the toss, Suryakumar chose to bowl first, taking advantage of the dew factor. Arshdeep Singh led the bowling charge with an early double strike, while Varun Chakravarthy baffled England’s batters with his deceptive googlies, claiming three crucial wickets.

“We had plans, and the bowlers executed them brilliantly,” said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation. “Hardik [Pandya] took responsibility with the new ball, allowing us the cushion to play an extra spinner. Varun’s preparations are spot-on, and Arshdeep has stepped up to take on extra responsibility.”

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Explosive Batting Display

India’s chase was spearheaded by an electrifying 79 off 34 balls by Abhishek Sharma. Despite an early dismissal of Sanju Samson by Jofra Archer, Abhishek’s aggressive stroke play decimated England’s bowling attack, securing India’s victory with over seven overs to spare.

“The way we batted was the icing on the cake,” remarked Suryakumar.

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Focus on Fielding Excellence

India’s fielding also drew attention, with several sharp dives and clean catches contributing to their dominance. Suryakumar emphasized the team’s commitment to improving fielding as a crucial element of their game plan.

“We’ve been working really hard on fielding. Taking half chances and saving runs makes a big difference,” he added.

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Looking Ahead

India’s commanding performance at Eden Gardens sets the tone for the rest of the five-match series. The action now shifts to Chennai, where the hosts aim to extend their hot streak on Saturday.

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Tags: India vs England T20I, Suryakumar Yadav captaincy, Abhishek Sharma innings, Varun Chakravarthy bowling, Indian cricket team strategy, Brendon McCullum coaching debut, Eden Gardens T20

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