England Keeps T20I series alive with 26-run victory over India

England secured a crucial 26-run victory against India in the third T20I on Tuesday, ensuring the five-match series remains alive at 2-1. The visitors set a target of 172, which India failed to chase despite a promising start from Abhishek Sharma.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, India put England under early pressure. Phil Salt fell cheaply, playing a poor shot to a slower delivery from Hardik Pandya, while Harry Brook managed only five runs off seven balls before Abhishek Sharma took a fine catch at covers. England found themselves struggling at 7/1 in 1.3 overs.

Ben Duckett and captain Jos Buttler then took charge of England’s innings, with Duckett displaying his attacking prowess. He struck three consecutive fours off Pandya before targeting Washington Sundar with two fours and a six. England reached the 50-run mark in just 5.1 overs and stood at 52/1 by the end of the powerplay, with Duckett on 39* and Buttler on 8*.

Buttler briefly found his rhythm, hitting a four and a six against Ravi Bishnoi, but his stay was cut short when Varun Chakravarthy got him stumped for 24 off 22 balls. Duckett continued his aggressive play, reaching a quick-fire 51 off 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes before Abhishek Sharma took a catch at long-on to hand Axar Patel another wicket. At 87/3 in 10 overs, England had lost both set batters.

Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook took the team past the 100-run mark in 11.4 overs, but England soon collapsed, losing three wickets in quick succession. Bishnoi cleaned up Brook for just eight off 10 balls, while Chakravarthy struck twice in the 14th over, removing Jamie Smith (6) and Jamie Overton off consecutive deliveries, leaving England at 115/6.

The leg-spinner continued his dominance, picking up his second five-wicket haul in T20Is by dismissing Brydon Carse (3) and Jofra Archer (0) in the 16th over. England was reduced to 127/8, staring at an underwhelming total. Livingstone provided some late fireworks, smashing Bishnoi for three sixes before falling to Hardik Pandya for 43 off 28 balls. Dhruv Jurel took a catch at long-on to end his innings.

Mark Wood and Adil Rashid remained unbeaten on 10 runs each, helping England finish at a respectable 171/9 in their 20 overs.

In response, India’s chase started with aggression but soon fell apart. Abhishek Sharma played a quick cameo of 24 off 14 balls, but wickets tumbled early. Sanju Samson struggled against Jofra Archer’s fiery pace and was dismissed for just three runs, splicing a short-length delivery straight to Adil Rashid at mid-on. Abhishek’s promising knock also came to an end as he was caught by Archer off Brydon Carse’s bowling in the very next over.

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, looked sharp initially, scoring 14 off seven balls, but failed to build on his start. By the end of the powerplay, India was 51/3, making the chase increasingly difficult.

Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar were unable to steady the innings, with the latter’s promotion in the batting order raising eyebrows. Sundar’s dismissal left India reeling at 85/5 in 12.1 overs. With 86 runs needed off 47 balls, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel attempted to salvage the chase. Pandya fought hard with a 40-run knock, but wickets kept falling at the other end.

Requiring 32 runs in the final over, India’s defeat was all but confirmed. Brydon Carse removed Dhruv Jurel on the first delivery, and England sealed a convincing win by restricting India to 145/9.

With the series now at 2-1, England remains in contention, setting the stage for a thrilling fourth T20I.