Eoin Morgan felt his bowlers did a “fantastic job” to limit India to 318 in yesterday’s opening ODI, despite it proving a match-winning score.
England had reduced India to 205 for five before a late blitz of 112 runs in 61 balls from debutant Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul took India to 317. Mark Wood and Tom Curran particularly went the distance at the death.
In the chase, they collapsed from 135 for none, including a stunning blitz from Jonny Bairstow, to 251 all out and a 66-run defeat.
“I can’t fault the guys today,” he said. “They were brilliant. They did exactly what was expected of them on a wicket like today. Chasing 318, at the halfway stage, even before the game, I’d have taken 318.
“The ground we’re playing at is a really good batting wicket if you get yourself in, the boundaries are not that big. To hold India at bay for that long is a fantastic job from our bowlers.”
Morgan says there will be changes to his team in the remaining two games. The captain himself (split webbing) and Sam Billings (collar bone) are doubts for Friday’s fixture with injury.
Reece Topley, Liam Livingstone and Matt Parkinson are the player vying for opportunity.
