India suffer first defeat in T20I series against England after dropping late momentum

Team India suffered another heartbreak and this time in Manchester as England snatched a win from the very jaws of defeat and left the visitors shellshocked. Despite being in control until the 15thover of the second innings, the momentum flipped and the next thing India knew was that they were tamed with an over to spare.

Winning the toss, India opted to bat first. India made one change to the side with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting his international debut at Sanju Samson’s expense. Sooryavanshi became the youngest Indian cricketer to make an international debut, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record. Sooryavanshi got his first international cap at the age of 15 years and 99 days.

India started slow but were soon to catch up with some significant momentum as Abhishek Sharma got into the groove. Sooryavanshi had a slow start but struck two humongous sixes as India totted up 50 runs for the opening stand from just 29 balls. Will Jacks got the better of Sooryavanshi, dealing the first blow to India’s batting order.

An incoming Ishan Kishan played the anchoring knock while Sharma continued with his rampage. Before Sam Curran could eventually get him, Sharma had already totted up 43 runs from just 24 balls. He smashed eight fours and a six, striking at a rate of 179.17.

Despite the two Indian openers falling in quick succession, Shreyas Iyer continued his good form and joined forces with Ishan Kishan. The two added 65 runs for the third wicket as India motored along. Iyer racked up 37 from just 22 balls while Ishan Kishan switched gears in the latter half of his innings, knocking 49 off just 40.

Much to India’s woes, they went from 130/2 to 165/6 and more importantly, they lost significant head of steam. India lost Iyer, Kishan, Shivam Dube (5) and Axar Patel (2) in quick succession and England gained a lot of ground. However, things turned around in the last over when Tilak Varma took over the reins.

Varma smashed an unbeaten 24 off just 11 balls, clobbering one four and two sixes. Harshit Rana smacked a maximum too during his sojourn in the center, propelling India to 190/7 at the end of their 20 overs. The number looked formidable for the hosts to push back at.

Arshdeep Singh rocked England early as he stormed through the two openers, sending Phil Salt (0) and Jos Buttler (0) packing. Wobbling at 1/2, England found a steady foothold in the incoming pair of Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell. Brook smashed his way through, bludgeoning 39 off just 15 balls while Bethell played the long game.

Brook and Bethell added 50 runs for the third wicket before Axar Patel could deliver a crucial breakthrough, claiming the former. Tom Banton walked in and looked in control for his 32-ball-39. The two knitted together a stand of 67 runs for the fourth wicket, keeping England alive in the contest.

Arshdeep Singh struck again to remove Banton while Varun Chakravarthy removed Will Jacks (9) to accentuate India’s path to the finish line. Things looked absolutely in control until Jacob Bethell switched gears and wrested the reins of the game. Bethell eventually stayed unbeaten for a match-winning knock of 76 from just 46 balls. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian lot with figures of 3/40. India will be playing their next clash on Tuesday as the caravan shifts to Trent Bridge.