England dominate fourth T20I in Bristol
England secured a decisive nine-wicket victory over India in the fourth T20 International at the County Ground in Bristol, clinching the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. The home side chased down a target of 159 runs in just 13.5 overs, showcasing a dominant batting performance.
The victory marks a significant milestone for England, as it represents their first bilateral T20I series win of two or more matches against India. Prior to this series, India had won five of the previous six bilateral T20I series against England, with one ending in a draw.
Harry Brook, leading the England side, played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 79 runs off 24 balls. He was ably supported by opener Phil Salt, who remained unbeaten with 59 runs. Their partnership was central to England’s swift chase, leaving India’s bowlers struggling to make an impact.
India’s innings saw captain Shreyas Iyer battling alone, scoring an unbeaten 80 runs off 49 balls. Despite his efforts, India could only manage 158 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Iyer’s innings included five sixes and four fours, as he anchored the innings while wickets fell around him.
The Indian top order once again struggled against England’s bowling attack. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 15 runs, while Ishan Kishan scored 4 runs and Abhishek Sharma contributed 16 runs. This left India at 48 for 3 inside the opening seven overs.
Iyer’s lone stand and England’s bowling attack
Iyer’s composed yet aggressive innings was a highlight for India. He showed a particular liking for leg-spinner Adil Rashid, scoring 44 runs off just 16 balls against him. This performance registered as the third-most runs scored by an Indian batter against a single bowler in a T20I innings.
Despite Iyer’s valiant effort, England’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout the innings. Jofra Archer finished with figures of 2 wickets for 20 runs, while Josh Tongue chipped in with 2 wickets for 36 runs. Archer’s final over included the run-out of Axar Patel. The extra bounce on the English wicket proved challenging for the Indian batsmen, with Archer removing Sooryavanshi for the second time in as many innings.
Arshdeep Singh provided an early breakthrough for India by dismissing Jos Buttler for 8 runs in the second over of England’s chase. However, this brief moment of hope was quickly extinguished as Salt and Brook took control. They capitalised on tactical decisions by the Indian team, particularly against bowlers like Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
Brook’s aggressive approach saw him unleash a full range of shots against India’s spin duo of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. These two conceded 37 runs across the eighth and ninth overs, effectively sealing the contest in England’s favour. Brook reached his fifty in just 21 balls.
Series implications and upcoming fixture
The defeat is particularly alarming for the reigning T20 world champions, India, who have now lost back-to-back series within four months of their title triumph in Ahmedabad. For captain Iyer, this marks his fifth defeat in six matches as skipper, as he continues to seek his maiden victory in the role.
India had previously suffered a 0-2 defeat to Ireland, and now trail England 0-3 in this series, with the opening game having been washed out. This result also ended India’s impressive record of winning 11 of their previous 12 bilateral T20I series, with the only exception being a 1-1 drawn series in South Africa in December 2023.
England will now look to complete a series sweep in the fifth and final T20I, while India will aim to salvage some pride. The final T20I is scheduled to be played at Southampton on Saturday.
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Source: m.rediff.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
