England kept their T20I series hopes alive with a commanding 26-run victory over India in Rajkot, overcoming a brilliant five-wicket haul from Varun Chakravarthy. The visitors posted 177 for 9, bolstered by Ben Duckett’s resilient half-century and late-order fireworks from Liam Livingstone. In response, India faltered under intense pressure, managing only 145 for 9 as England’s pace attack dictated terms.
Duckett Anchors England’s Innings
Inserted to bat first for the third consecutive time, England made an explosive start with Duckett leading the charge. The left-hander’s aggressive approach saw him reach his maiden T20I fifty as an opener, propelling England to a solid 83 for 1 by the ninth over. However, a devastating middle-order collapse triggered by Varun Chakravarthy’s masterful spell (5 for 24) threatened to derail their momentum.
Livingstone’s quickfire 43 off 24 balls, laced with five sixes, helped England recover and post a competitive total. An invaluable last-wicket stand of 24 between Adil Rashid and Mark Wood ensured they maximized their batting effort despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
India’s Chase Stifled by England’s Pacers
India’s response started shakily with early dismissals rocking the top order. Sanju Samson fell cheaply for the second match in a row, while Abhishek Sharma’s promising start was cut short by an excellent catch from Archer off Brydon Carse’s bowling.
The in-form Tilak Varma, unbeaten in his last four T20I innings, looked poised to steer India’s chase but fell victim to a brilliant Rashid delivery that shattered his stumps. India found themselves at a precarious 85 for 5, struggling to find momentum.
Hardik Pandya’s 40 off 35 balls provided a glimmer of hope, but his dismissal to Overton at long-off effectively sealed India’s fate. The hosts managed just two boundaries between the seventh and 15th overs, underscoring England’s disciplined bowling performance.
Rashid’s Precision and England’s Pace Dominate
Rashid’s spell of 1 for 15 in four overs choked India’s scoring rate, while the trio of Archer, Carse, and Overton shared seven wickets between them. The pace-heavy attack consistently hit hard lengths, preventing India from accelerating at crucial junctures.
Mohammed Shami, returning to India’s T20I squad after 14 months, delivered a steady spell but failed to make a significant impact. His presence was a morale boost for the hosts, yet it did little to alter the game’s outcome.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Heroics in Vain
Despite England’s eventual triumph, Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer, claiming his second five-wicket haul in T20Is. His variations troubled England’s batters, causing a mid-innings collapse that saw them lose 7 for 44 in just over seven overs.
However, England’s lower order showed resilience, ensuring that their early dominance with the bat wasn’t wasted. Duckett’s knock set the foundation, and Livingstone’s late blitz gave them the impetus needed to post a defendable total.
Series Poised for a Thrilling Finale
With this victory, England has revived their campaign, breaking India’s ten-match winning streak at home in T20Is. The series now heads into a decisive final encounter, where both teams will battle for supremacy in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
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Conclusion
England’s resilience and tactical execution played a decisive role in securing this victory, demonstrating their ability to bounce back after previous setbacks. The match underscored the importance of disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and calculated batting efforts in T20 cricket. With the series still alive, both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies in the upcoming fixtures. As India aims to reclaim dominance on home turf, England will seek to capitalize on this momentum to push for a series win.
