In an exhilarating contest at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India defeated England by 15 runs in the 4th T20I, taking an unassailable lead in the five-match series.
India’s Dominant Bowling Attack
The Indian bowling unit led by Harshit Rana and Ravi Bishnoi played a pivotal role in restricting England’s chase. Both bowlers took three wickets each, turning the game in India’s favour during critical moments of the chase. Varun Chakravarthy also contributed with two wickets in his four-over spell, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up one wicket each.
After a strong partnership between Philip Salt (23 runs from 21 balls) and Ben Duckett (39 runs from 19 balls), India regained control as Ravi Bishnoi struck early, dismissing Duckett. Jos Buttler (2 runs) failed to make an impact, falling to Bishnoi as well. England’s hopes of a successful chase were kept alive by Harry Brook’s stunning knock of 51 runs from 26 balls, but once he was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy in the 15th over, England’s resistance crumbled.
In the end, Jamie Overton (19) and Adil Rashid (10*) fought hard, but England fell short by 15 runs, finishing at 166.
Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube Shine for India
Earlier, India had a shaky start after winning the toss and being put into bat by Jos Buttler. The top-order collapsed early, with Saqib Mahmood producing a stunning triple-wicket maiden, removing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav within just two overs. India found themselves at a precarious 12/3.
However, Abhishek Sharma (29) and Rinku Singh (30) fought back with a vital 45-run partnership. Despite quick wickets falling thereafter, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube combined to anchor the innings with fifties. Pandya’s 53 runs from 30 balls and Dube’s 53 from 34 balls helped India post a competitive total of 181/9.
Key Performers:
- Harshit Rana: 3 wickets for 25 runs
- Ravi Bishnoi: 3 wickets for 28 runs
- Hardik Pandya: 53 runs from 30 balls
- Shivam Dube: 53 runs from 34 balls
Brief Score:
- India: 181/9 (Shivam Dube 53, Hardik Pandya 53, Rinku Singh 30; Saqib Mahmood 3/35)
- England: 166 (Harry Brook 51, Ben Duckett 39, Philip Salt 23; Ravi Bishnoi 3/28)
India will look to wrap up the series when they face England in the 5th T20I at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 2nd.