KOHLI – Samit Patel says England can clinch their first one-day series win in India since 1984-1985 if they can “stay calm and back our own ability”. Report by BBC Sport
Alastair Cook’s side head into today’s match in Kochi with a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after a nine-run victory in Rajkot. “We can achieve it if we stay calm and level-headed,” said all-rounder Patel.
“If we look to be positive and back our own ability then we have a good chance.”
The 28-year-old was part of the England teams which suffered 5-0 whitewashes during visits to India in 2008 and 2011. The Nottinghamshire all-rounder, who smashed an invaluable unbeaten 44 from only 20 balls in Rajkot, featured in all 10 of those games.
“On past tours here we’ve not even won a warm-up game. To win the first game in Rajkot was fantastic. We lost the first two warm-ups again so we knew how crucial it was. We knew the boys were ready but what a great win and what a great start,” added Patel.