We Didn't Have To Go To Plan B And C Very Often: Eoin Morgan

England put their Test shambles behind to record a convincing victory in the first of the five T20Is against India in Ahmedabad. England captain Eoin Morgan rotated his potent bowling to restrict India to a modest total and cruise to an eight-wicket win to take a series lead. Morgan highlighted that they did not have too many things and did the basics right without going to plan B and C.

England captain Eoin Morgan decided to field first, citing dew as a potentially significant factor and selected four specialist seamers. It reaped rich rewards for the tourists as Jofra Archer and Mark wood claimed two out of the three wickets to fall within the powerplay. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, bagging figures of 4-0-22-3 as he spearheaded to limit India to only 125 in 20 overs.

Following a top-notch bowling performance, Jos Buttler and Jason Roy added 72 for the opening wicket that cut England’s target to more than half. Though India dismissed the openers, the tourists had plenty of batting to come and had the match well within their grasp. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan stayed till the end to propel England over the line and deliver a series lead.

Plans were basic, hit a length and bowl straight: Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan lavished praises on their bowling attack, including Jofra Archer and Mark Wood – both of whom bowl exceptionally fast. The southpaw also felt fortunate enough that the wicket assisted them, with their bowlers trying nothing extraordinary and stuck to bowling lengths and straight. Eoin Morgan highlighted that there is intense competition for places within and outside the squad, while praising Jason Roy, who struck form.

Eoin Morgan felt that there was no hungover from the Test series’ loss since it’s a different format. The Irishman conceded that even in the bowling department, there is significant competition as players on the sidelines could also have been good candidates. The skipper was glad that they were not under pressure today; however, they back themselves in those situations to play even better.

“One of Jof’s strengths is bowling fast, among others, and certainly Mark’s super strength. Hard to do all the time, but great entertainment and good to have him in your side. [Couldn’t ask for more] No, particularly in the bowling department, the wicket was better for us than we expected. Plans were basic, hit a length and bowl straight, we didn’t have to go to plan B and C very often, which is always a good sign. Within the side there’s huge competition, outside the squad, too.

Huge support for players who score runs and does well, and when Jason does it gees the boys up. [No Test hangover] Completely different format, very distinct. In big series, like the Ashes, we’ve come out the back and learned from it. Archer’s excellent, in the bowling unit there’s a lot of competition, guys on the sidelines who could have played. We’re trying to cover all departments, when they’re put under pressure – today they didn’t allow that to happen,” Eoin Morgan told in the post-match presentation.

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