With players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jos Buttler, and Abhishek Sharma in the mix, fans can expect more fireworks under the Chennai lights
At Chennai’s legendary MA Chidambaram Stadium, India and England will square off in the second Twenty20 International of the five-match series on Saturday. After an excellent performance in the series opener at Eden Gardens, where India won by seven wickets, Suryakumar Yadav’s side grabbed a 1-0 lead and is full of confidence.
India team has arrived at Chennai for the India vs England 2nd T20I. 🇮🇳#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/eQ3kWlLSq5
— Samar (@SamarPa71046193) January 23, 2025
On the other hand, Jos Buttler’s England will be anxious to even the series. However, they will have to overcome spin-friendly conditions in Chennai as well as an Indian squad that is firing on all cylinders. As the cricketing world excitedly anticipates this high-stakes match, let us look back at five remarkable T20I innings that have lit up the Chepauk throughout the years.
Shikhar Dhawan’s performance against the West Indies remains one of the best T20I innings in Chennai. Chasing a challenging mark of 182, Dhawan timed his innings superbly, combining force and grace. His 92 off 62 balls ensured India reached the target in the last ball of the innings. The left-hander’s supremacy was evident as he effortlessly penetrated gaps and found the fence 12 times. It was a Player of the Match effort that demonstrated his ability to excel under pressure.
The late Kiwi star Brendon McCullum had a talent for the exceptional, and his innings at Chepauk were no exception. Batting first, McCullum single-handedly propelled New Zealand to 167/5, blasting Indian spinners to all areas of the field. His strike rate of 165.45 kept the Indian bowlers on their toes all innings. Though India came agonisingly close, losing by one run, McCullum’s knock stood out as an example of controlled aggressiveness.
In the same game that McCullum shone, Virat Kohli gave India hope with a sparkling 70 off 41 balls. Kohli, known for his ability to chase, was at his most fluid, striking boundaries at ease. His strike rate of 170.73 put India in the chase, but his efforts fell short as India succumbed by one run. This performance, however, established Kohli’s status as one of the top chasers in T20Is.
A classic Pant innings, Rishabh Pant’s 58 against the West Indies was bold and showy. Pant targeted the Windies bowlers right away after entering the game with the precarious balance of the contest. His fast-paced half-century, which was full of cheeky boundaries and muscular sixes, made sure India easily chased down 182. It was a peek of the enormous potential that Pant has.
The Chennai fans were treated to a spectacle as Nicholas Pooran scored an undefeated 53 off just 25 balls during the exact match as Dhawan and Pant’s valiant efforts. His 212.00 strike rate demonstrated how vicious his striking was. Although West Indies managed to register a challenging 181/3, Pooran’s performance was insufficient to guarantee victory.
