It may have been a long, arduous winter tour for England in India but is the light finally emerging at the end of the tunnel?
Having just lost out 2-1 in a closely-fought ODI series, the Three Lions’ win streak moved to two with yesterday’s convincing win in the first T20I.
The victory, by seven wickets with nearly two overs remaining, was a big marker ahead of this weekend’s second match in Nagpur.
This was a victory of significance, flexing England’s considerable muscle in every department in the shortest format of the game.
Off the back of performances such as this, England must believe they can beat any side in the world.
From a seam bowling attack with varying qualities to a batting line-up stacked with quality and firepower, all bases seem to be covered for Eoin Morgan’s side.
Jason Roy, who’s enjoying an excellent post-Christmas tour after featuring in Australia’s Big Bash League, impressed at the top while Sam Billings more than proved his worth with a 10-ball 22, a valuable effort in chasing a lowly total of 147.
With the run-rate almost down to a run-a-ball after the quick opening stand, it was left to Morgan and Joe Root to expertly marshal the chase while Ben Stokes was unbeaten at the end.
Morgan has come back firing after a dramatic spell in the BBL, where he hit a final-ball six to win his final game with the Sydney Thunder and keep their season alive. Scores of 102, 43 & 51 have strengthened his position in a limited-overs side bursting with options.
And Root described his run-a-ball 46 as “not his best” innings, an indicator of the astonishing high standards the Yorkshire batsman has set himself.
They appeared to be out of ideas a week ago but England head into the final two games of the T20I series full of optimism and confidence.
Should they continue an excellent short format record in India and win the series outright, it cements their place as one of the most dangerous T20 teams in the world.