
India wrapped up the five-match T20I series against England in dominant fashion with a crushing 150-run victory in the fifth and final game at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. With this win, the hosts sealed the series 4-1, capping off their campaign with a historic all-round performance.
Batting first, India posted a massive total of 247/9 in 20 overs, thanks to a breathtaking knock from Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander put on a spectacular show, smashing 135 off just 63 balls, hitting three fours and eleven sixes. His blistering innings was the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, only behind Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 2007 T20 World Cup century. He was well supported by Tilak Varma, who contributed 24, and Shivam Dube, who added a quickfire 30.
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Sanju Samson and Abhishek gave India a flying start, slamming 16 runs in the first over against Jofra Archer. However, Samson departed early after scoring 16, bringing Tilak Varma to the crease. The duo accelerated the scoring, bringing up India’s 50 in just four overs. The Men in Blue reached 100 in the seventh over, maintaining a rapid scoring rate.
England’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, but Brydon Carse provided some breakthroughs. He dismissed Tilak Varma at 136 and later removed captain Suryakumar Yadav, who managed just two runs. Carse also got rid of Shivam Dube for 30 in the 14th over. Mark Wood chipped in with two wickets, while Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, and Adil Rashid took one each. Despite the regular fall of wickets, India crossed the 200-run mark in the 16th over and finished with an imposing total of 247.
Chasing an improbable target of 248, England’s batting lineup collapsed under immense pressure. The visitors were bundled out for just 97 in 10.3 overs. Wicketkeeper-opener Philip Salt was the lone warrior for England, scoring a fiery 55 off 23 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 239.13. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to make any impact, with Jacob Bethell’s 10 being the second-highest score. Star batters Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone were dismissed cheaply, unable to even reach double digits.
India’s bowlers delivered a ruthless performance to dismantle England’s batting order. Mohammed Shami led the attack, taking 3/25 in 2.3 overs. Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube claimed two wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi picked up one. The standout moment came from Abhishek Sharma, who capped off his outstanding game by taking two wickets in a single over, conceding just three runs.
Brief score:
- India 247/9 (Abhishek Sharma 135, Shivam Dube 30, Tilak Varma 24; Brydon Carse 3/38)
- England 97 (Philip Salt 55, Jacob Bethell 10, Liam Livingstone 9; Abhishek Sharma 2/3).