Picture : ICC / X
Desperately needing a win to keep themselves alive in the five- match T20I series, England finally came out with an impressive all- round display at Rajkot to beat India by 26 runs.
Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav, the India skipper, won the toss and opted to bowl first . They lost opener Philip Salt early for ( 5) . But fellow opener Ben Duckett showed aggressive intent smashing a 28 ball 51 ( 7 fours, 2 sixes) . Skipper Jos Buttler ( 24) , Harry Brook ( 8) did not score big. Big hitting Liam Livingstone found some form with a timely 43 which was quick as well 24 balls ( 1 four, 5 sixes) .
The rest of the batting line- up did not fire – Jamie Smith ( 6), Jamie Overton ( 0) , Brydon Carse ( 3) , Jofra Archer ( 0). Adil Rashid not out 10 and Mark Wood not out 11 saw England eventually finishing at 171/9 in their 20 overs.
For India spinner Varun Chakravarthy was star with an impressive 5/ 24 ( 4 overs). Making a comeback after a long injury, the much awaited return of Mohammed Shami was listless 0/ 25 ( 3 overs) . Hardik Pandya 2/ 33 ( 4 overs), Washington Sundar 0/ 15 ( 1 over) , Ravi Bishnoi 1/ 46 ( 4 overs), Axar Patel 1/ 19 ( 3 overs) , Abhishek Sharma 0/ 4 ( 1 over)
In reply India got off to a shaky start losing openers in quick succession . Sanju Samson ( 3), Abhishek Sharma looked set but fell for 24. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s form is a worry for Team India and he fell early yet again for 14 . Tilak Varma ( 18) . All- rounder and last hope Hardik Pandya despite his 40 failed to rotate strike and it hurt the team in the chase . Washington Sundar ( 5 ), Axar Patel ( 15) , Dhruv Jurel ( 2) , Mohammed Shami ( 7) . Varun Chakravarthy not out ( 1), Ravi Bishnoi not out ( 4) as India could manage 145/ 9 in their 20 overs. England winning by 26 runs.
English Bowling was impressive in defending 171 . Jofra Archer 2/ 33( 4 overs), Mark Wood 1/ 29 ( 3 overs), Brydon Carse 2/ 28 ( 4 overs) Liam Livingstone 0/11 ( 1 over), Adil Rashid 1/ 15 ( 4 overs) was tight in his spells. Jamie Overton gave superb support with 3/ 24 ( 4 overs)
Match: 3rd T20I
Venue: Rajkot | Date: Jan 28, 2025
