Pune: India secured a thrilling 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
Defending a competitive total of 181/9, India’s bowlers delivered a spirited performance, with Ravi Bisnoi and debutant Harshit Rana holding their nerve to bowl out England for 166 in 19.4 overs.
Arshdeep (1/35) sealed the win with the crucial wicket of Saqib Mahmood (1), who miscued a pull shot to Axar Patel at deep midwicket. Rana (3/33), making his T20I debut as a concussion substitute, played a pivotal role, dismissing Jamie Overton (19) and Liam Livingstone (9), while Varun Chakravarthy (2/28) and Axar Patel (1/26) spun a web around the English batsmen.
England had started the chase on a fiery note, with Ben Duckett (39 off 19) leading the charge. His aggressive strokeplay, including seven boundaries and a six, propelled England to 62/0 inside six overs. However, India’s spinners turned the tide, with removing Philip Salt (23) and Bishnoi dismissing Duckett (39)and Jos Buttler (2) in quick succession. England stumbled from 62/0 to 67/3 within the powerplay.
Harry Brook (51 off 26) kept England in the hunt with a blistering half-century, taking on Chakravarthy and Rana with audacious strokes. But Chakravarthy struck at the right moment, sending back Brydon Carse (0) and Brook in successive overs. Jofra Archer (0) and Jacob Bethell (6) fell cheaply, leaving England tottering at 146/8.
Overton (19) tried to revive England’s hopes with a couple of big hits, but Rana’s crucial breakthrough in the 19th over ensured India’s grip on the match. With 16 needed off the last over, Arshdeep dismissed Mahmood to seal the win.
Earlier, India recovered from a disastrous start to post 181/9, courtesy of fighting half-centuries from Shivam Dube (53 off 34) and skipper Hardik Pandya (53 off 30). The hosts were reduced to 7/3 in the very first over as Mahmood (3/23) wreaked havoc with a triple-wicket maiden, removing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav.
Abhishek Sharma (27) and Rinku Singh (30) steadied the innings before Dube and Pandya counterattacked in the latter half. The duo added 78 runs for the sixth wicket, punishing England’s bowlers with calculated aggression. Their late surge ensured India posted a competitive total.
With this win, India seal the series with a game to spare. The fifth and final T20I will be played on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
