India v England: T20I series to provide a fresh narrative

The hosts will look to shake off negativity around the team after recent Test losses

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: When it comes to the dire need of having to wipe the slate clean and start again, T20 is the most effective format. Pick the two most expressive teams in the game, the current and former T20I World Cup champions, throw in the subcontinent setting with lightning quick outfields, late winter dew and an IPL context and you have struck oil. An entirely different landscape as well. No Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or Ravindra Jadeja, and obsession over batting positions, nothing etched in stone.

At a time when the Indian cricket team is taking a hit from every angle in the wake of back-to-back Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia, a switch to a more liberating format was probably needed. This is a happy bubble, a settled group unscathed by media leaks and 10-point dos and don'ts. "Bus mein gaane chal rahe the (songs were playing in our team bus)," said Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain. "It feels good. We had a lovely team dinner too last night. And this group has been together for 2-3 series now. Everyone knows who likes what and who doesn't."