England secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over India in Bristol, sealing their T20 series with a match to spare, as captain Harry Brook and Phil Salt delivered a dazzling batting display.
The pair effortlessly chased down India’s modest target of 158 for seven in just 13.5 overs, showcasing an aggressive brand of cricket.
Brook, who led from the front, smashed an unbeaten 79 from only 35 balls, featuring eight fours and four sixes. He was ably supported by Salt, who contributed an undefeated 59, including nine boundaries and a maximum, as England beat India in a bilateral series of two games or more for the first time.
The comprehensive win follows England’s 125-run triumph at Trent Bridge just two days prior, establishing an unassailable 3-0 lead ahead of Saturday’s finale in Southampton. England’s bowlers also impressed, with Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue each claiming two wickets, building on their strong showings in Nottingham. Sam Curran and Will Jacks maintained tight control, conceding only 24 and 28 runs respectively from their four-over spells.
India’s innings saw isolated resistance from captain Shreyas Iyer, who crafted an unbeaten 80 from 49 deliveries. However, it was a record fifth consecutive defeat for the visitors, adding to their recent struggles against Ireland.
India, opting to bat first, aimed to put their previous shambolic display at Trent Bridge behind them. Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, showed early promise with a boundary and a six but fell for 15, caught by Archer at mid-on – his Rajasthan Royals teammate – mirroring his dismissal in the previous match. India’s top order continued to falter, with Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma also departing cheaply, leaving them 48 for three.
Iyer and Shivam Dube attempted to rebuild the innings with a 53-run partnership, though it lacked significant impetus. Dube eventually fell to a slower ball from Will Jacks. Iyer then accelerated, hitting a six off Adil Rashid and punishing the leg-spinner with a further six and four in the 18th over. Despite this, England’s disciplined bowling, particularly from Curran and Archer in the final two overs, restricted India, with Archer also executing a neat run-out to dismiss Axar Patel.
England’s chase began with an early setback as Jos Buttler edged Arshdeep Singh for eight. However, from that point, it was one-way traffic. Salt, after taking nine balls to get off the mark, joined Brook in an extraordinary 146-run partnership that ensured a swift and decisive victory.
