India suffer heavy defeat again as England conclude T20I series with resounding win
As the curtains came down on the T20I series in Southampton, India would only be taking their lessons and be desperate to return to winning ways in the longer formats. After a win eluded them for seven straight games with six losses befalling them, the Men in Blue were left aghast. The final T20I clash of the series did see India putting up a fight but to no avail as England secured a 56-run win.
Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Prasidh Krishna did draw first blood, removing Phil Salt (6) early but that was the solitary silverlining for the Men in Blue until the 19th over. Jos Buttler smashed 131 off 64 balls, draining the fight from India. He was joined by Harry Brook who stayed unbeaten for a 45-ball-95, clobbering four fours and eight sixes.
The two added 233 runs for the second wicket, leaving the Indian bowlers with a very bitter taste in their mouth. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the lot with the most economical figures for India on a day where bowlers were being tossed aside like ragdolls.
India had an early hiccup to deal with as Abhishek Sharma (3) fell to Jofra Archer even before he could get into the groove. However, an incoming Sanju Samson played his natural game, bludgeoning 27 off just 14 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Ishan Kishan finally got back his rhythm of destruction with a solid 56 off just 35 balls but going by the required rate, it wasn’t close to what India needed. Shreyas Iyer slammed a quickfire 16-ball-28 while Tilak Varma brought the actual fire, hammering 53 off just 25 balls. However, by then, the required rate had leapt through the skies and India was not plunging for the finish line.
They concluded their 20 overs with 201/8, falling short of the required target by a staggering 56 runs. England bagged the series 4-0 after rain washed away the first game of the fray. India return to action on Tuesday as the three-match ODI series begins in Birmingham.
