India kicked off the five-match T20I series against England with a dominating performance at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. A clinical display with both bat and ball saw the hosts outclass England by seven wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. From exceptional bowling led by Varun Chakravarthy to an explosive batting masterclass by Abhishek Sharma, India ticked all the boxes in this one-sided affair.
Match Summary
- England: 132 all out in 20 overs
(Jos Buttler 68 | Varun Chakravarthy 3/24, Axar Patel 2/30)
- India: 133/3 in 12.5 overs
(Abhishek Sharma 79 | Jofra Archer 2/28)*
- Result: India won by 7 wickets
- Player of the Match: Varun Chakravarthy
First Innings: India’s Spin Web Stifles England
After winning the toss and opting to field, India made the most of the conditions by including three spinners in their lineup. Arshdeep Singh set the tone by dismissing openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett early. England’s middle order faltered against the spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel.
Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer with the ball, bagging crucial wickets of Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone while also controlling the flow of runs. England’s skipper Jos Buttler fought a lone battle, top-scoring with a 44-ball 68, but found no support from the other batters. England struggled to build partnerships, eventually folding for a sub-par total of 132.
Key Bowling Performances:
- Varun Chakravarthy: 3/24 in 4 overs
- Axar Patel: 2/30 in 4 overs
- Ravi Bishnoi: 1/18 in 4 overs
- Arshdeep Singh: 2/27 in 3 overs
Second Innings: The Abhishek Sharma Show
India’s chase got off to a flying start, thanks to the aggressive intent of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Samson (21 off 12) attacked from the get-go before being dismissed by Jofra Archer, who also scalped Suryakumar Yadav in the same over. However, Abhishek Sharma remained unfazed and continued his onslaught.
The young left-hander played a blistering knock of 79* off just 38 balls, which included 8 sixes and 5 fours. His fearless approach left the England bowlers scrambling for answers. Supported by Hardik Pandya and the rest of the batting lineup, Abhishek ensured India chased down the target with ease, finishing the game in just 12.5 overs.
Key Batting Performances:
- Abhishek Sharma: 79 off 34 balls
- Sanju Samson: 26 off 20 balls
- Jofra Archer: 2/28 in 4 overs
Turning Point
The turning point of the match came in the middle overs of England’s innings when Varun Chakravarthy dismissed both Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in quick succession. This triggered a collapse that England never recovered from, ultimately resulting in their below-par total of 132.
Player of the Match: Varun Chakravarthy
The mystery spinner was at his best on a surface he knows well from IPL experience. Chakravarthy’s disciplined line and length made life difficult for England’s middle order, and his ability to extract bounce helped him dismiss key batters. Speaking after the game, Chakravarthy said, “I’m used to seeing such pitches in the IPL. I tried to keep the ball away from their arc, and it worked today.”
What They Said
Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain):
“The energy and execution from the team were fantastic. Our bowlers set the tone, and the batting was the icing on the cake. The decision to play three spinners worked perfectly, and the freedom given to the players is yielding results.”
Jos Buttler (England Captain):
“We didn’t adapt to the conditions early on, and India bowled exceptionally well. We are an aggressive team and want to stick to our approach. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger in the next game.”
Abhishek Sharma:
“The plan was to express myself, and the freedom given by the captain and coach made a big difference. I knew they would bowl short, and I was ready for it. Playing freely and enjoying the game has been the key for me.”
Stats and Highlights
- India extended their unbeaten streak at Eden Gardens to 7 T20I wins, the joint-third highest for any team at a single venue.
- Abhishek Sharma’s 79* off 38 balls was his highest T20I score.
- England’s economy rate in the powerplay (9.14 since 2024) continues to be an area of concern.
Conclusion
India delivered a near-perfect performance to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Their spinners completely neutralized England’s power-packed lineup, and the batting unit, led by Abhishek Sharma, chased down the target with ease.
With momentum on their side, India will now head to Chennai for the second T20I, aiming to build on their dominant display. Meanwhile, England will need to regroup quickly, address their batting woes, and find a way to counter India’s spinners.
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