England wrapped up the five-match T20I series in emphatic fashion, overpowering India by nine wickets at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday to secure an unbeatable 3-0 lead.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India once again failed to build the kind of innings required on a good batting surface. Despite a fighting knock from Shreyas Iyer, they could only post 158/7, a total that proved far from enough against England’s explosive batting line-up.
India’s innings got off to another disappointing start as both Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma departed cheaply. Ishan Kishan, promoted to No. 3, was unable to steady the innings either, leaving the visitors in trouble at 48/3.
With wickets falling around him, Iyer produced a superb rescue act. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 80 from 49 deliveries, striking four fours and five sixes in a composed yet aggressive innings. Shivam Dube chipped in with 22 off 23 balls, and together they added 53 runs for the fourth wicket to prevent a complete collapse. Iyer carried the innings until the end, ensuring India had a respectable total on the board.
England’s reply began with the early dismissal of Jos Buttler, briefly giving India hope. However, that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Skipper Harry Brook launched a breathtaking counterattack, taking control of the chase almost immediately. The right-hander blasted an unbeaten 79 from just 35 balls, peppering the boundary with eight fours and four sixes. At the other end, Phil Salt continued his excellent run of form, following up his previous fifty with another fluent unbeaten 59 off 42 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and a six.
The pair stitched together an unbroken 146-run partnership for the second wicket, completely taking the game away from India. England reached the target comfortably inside 14 overs, sealing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory and clinching the series with two matches still to play.
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