England registered their first win in the ongoing five-match T20I series against India, defeating the hosts by 26 runs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 28, 2025. The victory, led by strong performances from Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, and Jamie Overton, keeps the series alive with India leading 2-1.
Meanwhile, Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy delivered a standout performance with a five-wicket haul, becoming only the third Indian bowler to achieve this milestone twice in T20Is.
Key Highlights:
England’s Batting Highlights:
England, electing to bat first, posted a competitive 171/9 on a pitch favoring spinners. Ben Duckett was the backbone of the innings, smashing 51 off just 28 balls with calculated aggression. Liam Livingstone, contributing 43 off 34 balls, capitalized on his explosive finishing abilities, particularly punishing Ravi Bishnoi by scoring 19 runs in one over.
Despite Varun Chakaravarthy’s remarkable 5/29 spell, England managed to recover from a mid-innings slump. Notably, Varun joined an elite list of Indian bowlers, including Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to achieve multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is.
India’s Struggles in the Chase:
India’s chase started on a shaky note, losing three quick wickets in the powerplay. Promising starts by Abhishek Sharma (24 off 14) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (14 off 7) ended prematurely. Sanju Samson’s struggles continued as he managed only three runs off six deliveries.
The middle order also failed to stabilize the innings. While Hardik Pandya top-scored with 40 runs, his inability to accelerate under pressure proved costly. England’s disciplined bowling, spearheaded by Jamie Overton’s 3/29 and supported by Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer with two wickets each, restricted India to 145/9, falling short by 26 runs.
Bowling Brilliance from Both Sides:
- England’s Bowling Attack: Jamie Overton led with three wickets, while Carse and Archer provided vital breakthroughs. Mark Wood and Adil Rashid chipped in with one wicket apiece.
- India’s Bowling Standout: Varun Chakaravarthy’s magical spell included key dismissals, but the lack of support from other bowlers allowed England to post a defendable total.
Series Outlook:
With this victory, England avoided a series defeat and maintained hopes of leveling the series. The next match, scheduled at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, will be a must-win game for England to force a decider. Meanwhile, India will aim to bounce back and seal the series with a strong performance.
England’s resilience in the 3rd T20I against India has set up an exciting finish to the series. Despite Varun Chakaravarthy’s heroics with the ball, India’s batting faltered under pressure. With two matches remaining, the series promises thrilling cricket action as both teams look to assert dominance.
What’s your take on England’s comeback? Let us know in the comments below!
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