New Delhi. A big upheaval is currently being seen in T20 International cricket. The current world champion Indian cricket team is in danger of snatching the T20 ranking crown. After taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20 series against India, the England team is now on the verge of creating history. The last match of the series is to be played in Southampton on Saturday, which will not only end this series but can also change the equation of global T20 ranking. If England wins this match, it will overtake India and occupy the top position in the ICC T20 rankings.
Before the beginning of this series, no one had thought that world champion India would have to face such a one-sided match. England captain Harry Brook himself has admitted that he did not expect such easy success against a strong team like India. The first match of the series was washed out due to rain, but England maintained complete dominance in the subsequent three matches.
In the fourth T20 match, England’s batsmen destroyed the Indian bowlers. Chasing the target of 158 runs, the England team won easily by losing just one wicket. Captain Harry Brook led from the front in an aggressive manner and scored unbeaten 79 runs in just 35 balls. At the same time, opening batsman Phil Salt supported him well and played a sensible inning of 59 not out off 42 balls. Both the batsmen made an unbroken partnership of 146 runs for the second wicket and gave England a one-sided victory by nine wickets.
Harry Brook’s eyes on creating history
Captain Harry Brook looked very excited while talking to the media after the match on Thursday. Making clear his team’s target, he said, ‘If we become the number one team in the world and England reaches the semi-finals (in the Football World Cup), then it will be a great achievement for us. We have been told by the team management that as soon as we win the next match, we will reach the top ranking and this is definitely our biggest goal.
Brook also talked about the current form of the Indian team. He said that India is a very strong team, but compared to the last few years, this team has been a little behind its best performance in this series. However, he praised his team and said that England had implemented their plans brilliantly on the field, which benefited them.
Beating India 4-0 will be special: Brook
In the cricket world, defeating India at home or on foreign soil has always been a big challenge. In such a situation, England has a golden opportunity to defeat India 4-0. Brook said, ‘To be honest, defeating a team like India 4-0 would be a very special achievement. Along with this, becoming the top ranked team in the world will make this victory even more memorable for us.
The captain believes that his limited overs team is moving in the right direction at the moment. The players of the team have been successful in adapting themselves to different conditions and pitches. Recalling the performance of the last World Cup, he said that despite chasing a big target at the Wankhede Stadium, the team came very close to victory, which shows how much strength the team has.
Will Team India be able to make a comeback?
This series has been no less than a nightmare for the Indian team. Being the world champion, the kind of fighting spirit that was expected from the team was completely missing in this series. From batting to bowling, the Indian team has been seen on the back foot on every front. Now the Indian team faces the last challenge to save its reputation and secure its number one position in the ICC rankings.
The Indian team will have to give its full strength in the final match to be held in Southampton. If the Indian team loses this match, it will not only lose the series 4-0 but will also lose the T20 crown. Now it remains to be seen whether Team India is able to save its face by counterattacking in this last match, or whether Harry Brook’s ‘Young Brigade’ is successful in achieving the historic feat of clean sweep.
