Former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook lauded India’s talented T20I team after series win against England. India took the series by 4-1 after winning the fifth T20I by a gargantuan margin of 150 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday.
The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Hardik Pandya performed consistently for the home team in the series and Cook is impressed with India’s depth.
Sharma scored a stellar knock of 135 runs off just 54 balls in the final T20I, with the help of seven fours and 13 maximums. On the other hand, Varun Chakravarthy bagged the Player of the Series after taking 14 wickets in five matches at an average of 9.86. The mystery spinner has been added to India’s squad for England ODIs.
Cook said on TNT Sports, “England have come up against a talented side and come up short, which is not unexpected, but what happens now is crucial. How can they mould themselves into a better T20 team? I am in awe of this Indian machine in terms of the amount of talent they have, the options. India won’t just win at home.”
On the other hand, Cook added that England will need to be at their best to win the three-match ODI series against India. The former English opener said Joe Root is going to hold the key for the visitors.
He added, “Root is the glue of the side, a guy you want to be batting for 40, 45 overs. His playing of spin will be crucial and whether he can guide the younger players through how to do that. That risk management. England will have to be at their best to win this ODI series but have every base covered.”
The first ODI between India and England will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on Thursday.
