England fight back with a clinical bowling display to beat India by 26 runs and stay in the series.
England delivered a dominant bowling performance to secure a 26-run victory over India in the third T20 at Rajkot, keeping the five-match series alive. After two consecutive defeats, the visitors had no room for error, and they rose to the challenge with a gritty all-round display.
Batting first, England posted what initially seemed a modest total of 171-9, with Ben Duckett’s rapid 51 off 28 balls providing the backbone of the innings. Liam Livingstone added firepower, smashing five sixes in his 43 off 21 balls. However, India’s Varun Chakravarthy spun a web around England’s middle order, claiming a sensational 5-24 as the visitors lost eight wickets for just 60 runs.
Chasing 172, India’s response faltered from the outset. England’s pace trio of Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood struck early, reducing the hosts to 51-3 in the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal—skewing a delivery from Wood into Phil Salt’s gloves—summed up India’s struggle against England’s relentless attack.
Tilak Varma, the hero of India’s previous win, could not repeat his heroics, falling to Adil Rashid for just 18. Jamie Overton then removed Washington Sundar, leaving India reeling at 85-5.
Hardik Pandya attempted to salvage the innings, but his slow 40 off 35 balls failed to provide the acceleration India needed. His late six off Archer was nothing more than a consolation, as Overton dismissed him soon after, sealing England’s victory.
With the series now at 2-1 in India’s favour, the teams head to Pune for the fourth T20 on Friday, where England will look to level the contest.
