Abhishek Sharma was the star for India in their 150-run win over England in the fifth T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He smashed 135 runs off just 54 deliveries with seven fours and 13 sixes breaking several records in the shortest format. At the same time, he also joined a special list of Indian players that features Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill. On the back of Abhishek’s knock, India posted 247 runs on the board and then skittled the visitors for just 97 runs.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian team has registered yet another series win in T20Is as it clinched the fourth game at the Maharashtra Cricket Association to bag the series 3-1 with a game to go. The hosts were given a scare but managed to cross the line in the end.
With this win, India has extended their world record of most consecutive unbeaten series at home to 17. They haven’t lost a series at home since losing to Australia in 2018/19.
England had run India for money in the fourth T20I but fell 15 runs short in the end. India had put up 181 batting first on the back of half-centuries from Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. India were in a spot of bother after being 12/3 and then 79/5.
However, Hardik and Dube stabilised the ship. They put up an 87-run stand for the sixth wicket and helped India post a strong total. Both players made 53 each to boost India over 175.
Like in the first innings, England was very much in the game in the second essay too. They started well with Ben Duckett and Phil Salt taking them to 62/0 in 5.5 overs. But Ravi Bishnoi made the much-needed breakthrough when he sent Duckett back before Axar Patel cleaned up Salt. Bishnoi weaved his magic and got England skipper Jos Buttler and in no time, the visitors were 67/3.
A big moment came in the game when Harshit Rana was allowed to bowl after being named concussion substitute for Shivam Dube, who was hit on his head in the final over of India’s innings. Harshit took three wickets for 33 runs and struck in his first over.
With back-to-back wins in Kolkata and Chennai, India are leading 2-0 in the five-match T20I series against England. The bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy have been sensational, leading India to victory in both matches. In the third T20I, the hosts hope to keep up with the momentum and seal the series at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
The Jos Buttler-led side, on the other hand, looked clueless against spin in the first T20I and couldn’t make the most of the opportunity in Chennai. Barring the captain, other batters failed to live up to the potential and that’s a concern. Brydon Carse, who replaced Gus Atkinson in the previous game, showed glimpses of his class but overall, the team needs to improve to get back to winning ways.
Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid gave India a scare but the target proved to be way too much for the visitors as they were bowled out for 166 in 19.4 overs and lost by 15 runs.
Rohit Sharma-led Indian side thrashed England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 in their last T20I meeting and eventually became the world champions. England lifted the T20 World Cup in 2022 after beating India in the semi-final by 10 wickets.
India vs England T20I series full schedule
1st IT20: India v England, Wednesday 22 January, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
2nd IT20: India v England, Saturday 25 January, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
3rd IT20: India v England, Tuesday 28 January, Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
4th IT20: India v England, Friday 31 January, MCA Stadium, Pune
5th IT20: India v England, Sunday 2 February, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
All 5 T20I games between India and England will begin at 7:00 PM IST (1:30 PM UK Time).
India vs England T20I series squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vc), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).
