source : BCCI
England secured their first win of the series with a 26-run victory over India in the third T20I at Rajkot, reducing India’s lead to 2-1. England’s batting struggled initially, but a late surge from Liam Livingstone and the tail-enders helped them post a competitive total of 171/9 in 20 overs. Varun Chakravarthy’s brilliant spell of 5/24 had put India in a strong position, but England fought back through disciplined bowling.
Chasing 172, India found themselves under immense pressure early on, stumbling to 78/4 at the halfway mark. The hosts failed to hit a boundary between the seventh and 15th overs, highlighting England’s tight grip on the game. Despite Hardik Pandya’s efforts, the Indian batting order crumbled under the disciplined attack led by Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, and Mark Wood, eventually falling short by 26 runs.
Adil Rashid was the standout bowler for England, conceding only 15 runs in his four overs while taking a crucial wicket. Jamie Overton was England’s highest wicket-taker with three dismissals, while Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Brydon Carse contributed with one each in the first 10 overs. England’s ability to consistently pick up wickets prevented India from building any significant partnerships.
After the match, Player of the Match Varun Chakravarthy expressed his disappointment but emphasized the need to move forward. England captain Jos Buttler praised his team’s adaptability, highlighting Rashid’s importance in their bowling unit. India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted that his side needed to learn from their mistakes, particularly in rotating the strike against quality spin bowling.
With this win, England stays alive in the five-match series, which now stands at 2-1 in India’s favor. The fourth T20I, scheduled for January 31, will be crucial for both teams—India aiming to seal the series and England looking to level it. With India’s strong home record, having remained unbeaten in their last 17 T20I series, England will need another top performance to challenge the hosts in the upcoming game.
