KATHMANDU Jan 22: Opener Abhishek Sharma's explosive fifty and Arshdeep Singh's record-breaking spell guided India to victory over England by 7 wickets in the first T20I of the five-match series at the iconic Eden Gardens today.
Chasing a paltry 133 for a win, India overhauled the target with 43 balls to spare as they reached 133 for 3 in just 12.5 overs to draw the first blood in the series.
Abhishek Sharma smashed 79 off just 34 balls, striking at a 232.35. His innings included 8 sixes and 5 fours.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was completely 'at home', starring with figures of 3/23 as India delivered an exceptional bowling display, skittling out England for 132 in the first T20I at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
India beat England inside two days as chaos reigns in day-night...
Despite the dewy conditions, India went in with three spinners: Ravi Bishnoi (0/23 in 4 overs), Axar Patel (2/22 in 4 overs), and Chakravarthy -- backing record-breaker Arshdeep Singh's fiery opening spell.
The left-arm quick set the tone by dismissing both openers, Phil Salt (0) and Ben Duckett (4), in successive overs en route to his 2/17 from four overs. His first spell of 3-0-10-2 also saw him surpass Yuzvendra Chahal's tally to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 97 scalps.
Stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav managed his bowlers astutely, ensuring timely changes and capitalising on their momentum after winning the toss.
England's struggles were compounded as they failed to build partnerships, with only skipper Jos Buttler holding the innings together. Jos Buttler (68 from 44 balls) played a composed knock, reaching his fifty off 34 balls, mixing power and precision to keep England afloat amidst the wreckage. Chakravarthy turned the game decisively in India’s favour post-powerplay finding his mojo back at his IPL home venue.
Returning to his IPL home ground, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner dismissed Harry Brook (17) and Liam Livingstone (0) in quick succession before eventually sending Buttler back, breaking England’s resistance.
Ravi Bishnoi complemented the attack beautifully with a tight spell of 0/22 from his four overs, while Axar Patel recovered from a shaky start to finish with 2/22, including a maiden.
The spinners dominated the middle overs, conceding just 25 runs and picking up two crucial wickets between overs 10 and 15. The English batters weren't able to pick the wrist spinners from their hands. England’s misery was compounded by some reckless shot selection.
Youngster Jacob Bethell (7) escaped a close stumping chance off Chakravarthy but couldn’t capitalize, mistiming a pull to deep midwicket to become Hardik Pandya’s first victim. Pandya was initially expensive smashed for 18 runs where Buttler smashed him for four boundaries but he was cleverly rotated by Suryakumar as he bowled tidily at death and finished with 2/42. England were eventually bowled out in the final delivery when Mark Wood was run out for 1.
Brief Scores: England: 132 all out in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 68; Varun Chakravarthy 3/23, Arshdeep Singh 2/17, Axar Patel 2/22, Hardik Pandya 2/42). India: 133 for 3 in 12.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 79; Jofra Archer 2/21).
