Though India lost the final match of the T20I series against England at Trent Bridge by 17 runs, they had already won the first two matches at Southampton and Edgbaston to set up their fourth straight T20I series win over the hosts.
In both of their victories, the new aggressive batting approach stood out, something which has been happening since the Delhi T20I against South Africa in June. The embracing of the new batting approach by the Indian batters was what skipper Rohit Sharma termed as the biggest takeaway from the 2-1 T20I series win.
"The biggest takeaway has been the approach of each and every individual who has played in this series for us. How they have relished the moment in the middle, taking on the opportunity, the opposition and taking that extra risk. The mindset is something we're trying to change and that I guess is the biggest takeaway from all the players," said Rohit in the post-match press conference.
Sharma further revealed how taking up the new batting approach has been accepted by the Indian players. "They are willing to do that, they are willing to take that risk. When I go and talk to certain individuals or players and I hear the same kind of response from them, that is the biggest takeaway. While doing that, results will go here and there. We're looking at the larger picture and to achieve that we will make some mistakes.
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"As a captain, I'm pretty much okay with that. Honestly, to come here and win a series in England, it's not easy. It was a challenging one for us. Winning always gives you confidence, and we can try to take that confidence and move forward and try to see how we can improve in all the departments."
In the third T20I, talismanic batter Virat Kohli showed glimpses of moulding himself into the new batting approach by India, flicking David Willey over mid-on for four and followed up with a clean loft down the ground for six. But his time at the crease was short-lived as he stepped out to slap through covers, but was caught out at short extra cover on the very next ball.
Rohit admitted that Virat's 11 in the third T20I was as per the new batting approach of India in the shortest format of the game, which involves high risk. "We, as a team, want to play in a certain way and every player needs to buy into that thought process. Otherwise, it's not gonna happen for you."
"All the batters who are part of this squad are willing to take that extra risk and go and see what extra they can do with the bat. It's important to find out within yourself, to try and do different kinds of things and unless you try it you will never be able to find out. So, I think it is something that we've been trying to do for a while now.
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"I have said it at (previous) press conference at the start that some days, it might just come off, some days it might not. But we don't want to be afraid of going and taking that extra risk. That's how we're going to learn as a team and that's how we're going to move forward as a team as well. So it's everyone's thought process and everyone are quite comfortable with that idea as well. So, that's the kind of direction the team is willing to move."
