Bristol: England defeated India by nine wickets in the fourth T20I on Thursday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. India managed 158/7 in 20 overs before England comfortably chased down the target, reaching 159/1 in just 13.5 overs. The result created history for England while adding another chapter to India’s disappointment. If India lose the fifth T20I on Saturday, they could also surrender the ICC No. 1 T20I ranking they have held for several months.
England have won a bilateral T20I series against India for the first time in history. India, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back T20I series defeats for the first time since 2019. Another defeat on Saturday would complete a 4-0 clean sweep for England and could see them replace India as the world’s No. 1 T20I side.
Even more concerning for India is that both series defeats have come under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. Earlier, Ireland created history by defeating India for the first time in both a T20I match and series. Now England have also scripted history by winning their maiden T20I series against India. Before this series, India had won eight of the previous 10 bilateral T20I series between the two teams, while the remaining two had ended in draws.
Although England have struggled in Test cricket following Ben Stokes’ sudden retirement and recently lost the Test series 2-1 to New Zealand, the team has emerged as a powerful force in T20Is under Harry Brook’s leadership.
Harry Brook Wins 19 of 22 T20Is as Captain
Harry Brook has become England’s most successful T20I captain. Under his leadership, England have won 19 of their last 22 T20I matches over the past year.
Harry Brook Thrives, Shreyas Iyer Under Pressure
Brook was handed England’s T20I captaincy last year and has enjoyed tremendous success. In contrast, India’s selectors removed World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav from the leadership role and even dropped him from the squad. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, India have now lost back-to-back T20I series.
India Lose Five Consecutive T20Is for the First Time
Champions of the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and winners of the 2024 and 2026 editions, India have now lost five consecutive T20Is for the first time in the format’s history. The disappointing run has put Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy under serious scrutiny, while head coach Gautam Gambhir could also come under pressure.
Shreyas Iyer’s Unbeaten 80 Goes in Vain; Salt and Brook Share 146-Run Stand
After electing to bat first, India endured another disappointing batting display. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (15), Abhishek Sharma (16), Ishan Kishan (4), Tilak Varma (11), and Shivam Dube (22) all failed to make meaningful contributions.
Captain Shreyas Iyer was the lone bright spot, remaining unbeaten on 80 off 49 balls with five sixes and four boundaries. However, his fighting knock ended in a losing cause. Young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed by Jofra Archer for the second successive match, while Archer and Josh Tongue claimed two wickets each.
In reply to India’s 158/7, England stormed to 159/1 in just 13.5 overs with 37 balls to spare. Arshdeep Singh claimed England’s only wicket by dismissing Jos Buttler.
Harry Brook Named Player of the Match
England’s successful chase was built around an unbeaten 146-run partnership between Phil Salt and Harry Brook. Salt remained unbeaten on 59 from 42 balls, hitting one six and nine fours, while Brook blasted an unbeaten 79 off just 35 deliveries, including four sixes and eight boundaries.
Harry Brook was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.
ALSO READ: Dinesh Karthik Questions Shreyas Iyer’s Harsh Remarks After India’s 76-All Out Against England
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