Indian fans hail team’s drubbing of England in T20 WC encounter

Indian cricket fans have hailed their team’s drubbing of England in Sunday evening’s T20 World Cup encounter.

The Indian cricket team’s 90-run win over England in their T20 World Cup encounter has raised the spirits of fans who have travelled all the way to Sri Lanka in hope of seeing a second title triumph by their national squad.

The result, however, poses a healthy selection dilemma, as till now out-of–favour spinners Harbhajhan Singh and Piyush Chawla put in match winning performances, claiming six of the ten England wickets to fall.

Captain MS Dhoni would now have to spend time on deciding the right team composition for the super eight part of the competition.

Defending champions England won the toss and put India in to bat first. The Indian batsmen, led by a stroke full 55 by Rohit Sharma, with vital supporting knocks by Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, scored 170 in their allotted 20 overs, for the loss of four wickets.

The Indian bowlers then struck early, with Irfan Pathan claiming two quick wickets, followed up by spinners Harbhajan Singh (four wickets for 12 runs) and Piyush Chawla (two wickets for a little over 20 runs).

England were bowled out for 80 in the 15th over. Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter top scored with 35 of 25 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Harbhajan’s return to form was not lost on the fans. They credited him with turning a potentially tight game on its head.

“This was only Bhajji and Bhajji. He has performed very well, and turned around the whole picture of the match. Only because of him, could India win this match convincingly,” said an elated Rajesh, who had travelled all the way from New Delhi to catch the game.

While the inclusions of Chawla and Singh at the expense of current spin favourite Ravichandran Ashwin raised many a eyebrow, the victory ensured that that ‘Captain Cool’, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, found favour with India supporters.

“Yeah, (it was) very good. They have changed the bowlers very well. Dhoni’s captaincy is excellent, marvellous,” said Saurabh, another very pleased fan.

The Indians play Australia next on September 28.