ENG vs IND | Bowlers have to learn about mentality in T20s, says Reece Topley

England managed to avoid a whitewash in the T20Is against India, winning the third and final match at Trent Bridge. Asked to defend 215, the English bowlers cleaned up India’s top-order quite quickly, thanks to some tight bowling from Reece Topley.

Topley, who was the adjudged player of the match for his spell of 3 for 22, picked up key wickets of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant on 11 and 1 runs, respectively.

Speaking about his bowling in the T20 format, Topley said that modern-day cricket is cruel for bowlers, and they have to work more on the mental side of things than just skills.

According to cricket.com, Topley said, "Bowling these days is a bit of a thankless task but you've just got to put your hand up and be brave. One day it doesn't go your way and you're the villain and you have to get yourself up for the next game to try and be the hero. Bowlers nowadays have almost got more to learn mentally about T20 cricket - perhaps more than the skills."

"There's other games where things don't fall your way and you get 1 for 40, or whatever. You've got to ride the high when things fall your way because the game is pretty fickle and there's a lot of days where it doesn't."

The left-arm bowler finished the T20I series with 4 wickets from 2 appearances.

Topley, sidelined for the T20 World Cup in 2021, made a comeback into the side following a string of impressive performances in domestic cricket. 

With the South Africa series on his radar and the upcoming T20 World Cup in October, he looks forward to cementing his place in the side moving forward.

"Since the start of this year, I think I've taken all the opportunities that have come my way. But [with a] new coach and a new captain, there's new people to try and impress.

In my head, it's back to square one - try to impress the right people. But ultimately it's about getting wins as a team and trying, with every game, to work out how we're getting one step closer to trying to win the World Cup in October," he concluded.

He will be seen in action in the 3-match One-Day International (ODI) series against India starting July 12.