India Seal T20I Series with 15-Run Victory Over England in Pune
India emerged victorious by 15 runs against England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, taking an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. With this win, India sealed the series, leaving the final match scheduled for Sunday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai inconsequential.
After a strong performance from debutant Harshit Rana (3-33) and Ravi Bishnoi (3-28), who claimed three wickets each, India restricted England to 166 all out in 19.4 overs. Earlier, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube shared a crucial 88-run partnership to propel India to 181/9, despite Saqib Mahmood’s (3-35) impressive bowling performance.
England’s chase began with aggressive intent as openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett got off to a strong start, putting India under pressure. However, India’s spinners, especially Bishnoi, turned the game around. Bishnoi dismissed Duckett for 39, while Axar Patel followed up by removing Salt (23), and England’s momentum slowed dramatically.
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, was dismissed cheaply for 2, and the visitors were in deep trouble at 67/3. However, Harry Brook (51) and Liam Livingstone (9) provided some hope, but the required run rate continued to climb as India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure.
The turning point came when Mahmood recorded a historic triple-wicket maiden, dismissing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. India’s middle order looked to rebuild with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube adding 88 runs together.
In the bowling attack, Harshit Rana made an immediate impact, dismissing Livingstone and helping India regain control. Despite Brook’s half-century, England’s lower order crumbled under pressure, and the team fell short of their target.
India’s clinical bowling performance sealed the 15-run victory, with Bishnoi and Rana’s contributions ensuring England could not chase down the target. The series win marks a significant achievement for India as they head into the final match.
Brief Scores:
- India: 181/9 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 53, Shivam Dube 53; Saqib Mahmood 3-35, Jamie Overton 2-32)
- England: 166 all out in 19.4 overs (Harry Brook 51, Ben Duckett 39; Ravi Bishnoi 3-28, Harshit Rana 3-33)
India win by 15 runs.
