Chris Jordan insists England’s confidence is fully intact despite their eight-wicket defeat in the first T20 against India.
As the hosts prepare to battle back in Cardiff and keep the series alive on Friday evening, Jordan spelled out that they remain optimistic.
Tuesday’s trouncing at Old Trafford was a reality check after England’s six-game white-ball ‘whitewash’ of a depleted Australia last month.
But asked if there is any less belief in Eoin Morgan’s squad, Jordan said: “No, I don’t think so at all.
“We’ve been on a high in white-ball cricket for a while now – and one game, one defeat, shouldn’t change our confidence whatsoever.
“You still want to be on the front foot, still want to play positive cricket.”
KL Rahul hit a century while England had no answer to the left-arm wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav, who took three of his five wickets in four balls – including Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root for golden ducks, both stumped off googlies.
We've been training hard with this ⬇️ ahead of our second Vitality IT20 against India. 🏏
What are your match predictions?#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/MMv2RPLNAu
Jordan, who also fell first ball later in the innings, added: “The better team beat us on the day.
“It was a good spell from Kuldeep Yadav, first of all, and then a very good innings from KL Rahul.
“They thoroughly deserved the win, but we’ll be looking to bounce back come tomorrow.”
There was consolation for the hosts in Manchester – where they had something to celebrate anyway within minutes of their own defeat, thanks to England’s nervy progress to the quarter-finals of the football World Cup with an unaccustomed penalty shoot-out success against Colombia.
Video footage soon emerged of the cricketers cheering in their dressing-room after the last spot-kick.
Jordan said: “It was a great atmosphere. Everyone was together.
“It was bitter-sweet really, because obviously we lost the game.
“But to see the guys out there in Russia move on to the next stage, it was a good feeling.”
Morgan’s team will be able to watch Saturday’s quarter-final against Sweden in its entirety at their leisure, from their Bristol hotel between the second and third matches of this series.
“You saw (us) celebrating,” added Jordan.
“Everyone is well into it, the whole nation is well into it – so let’s keep it going.
“It’s coming home … it is coming home!”
