England produced a masterful fightback to defeat India by nine wickets in the fourth T20I at the County Ground, Bristol, sealing a five-run lead with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Chasing 159, the players raced home in 13.5 overs, thanks to an unbeaten partnership between captain Harry Brook and opener Phil Salt. The emphatic victory also ended a long wait for England, who won their first T20I series of two or more matches against India.
Only Shreyas Iyer’s fight saves India
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India again endured a familiar collapse of order against England’s relentless attack. Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 15 after a good start, while Ishan Kishan (4) and Abhishek Sharma (16) failed to convert as Jofra Archer and company reduced the visitors to 48/3 inside the opening seven overs.With wickets tumbling all around him, captain Shreyas Iyer stood up with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, leading to his team’s rescue. The right-hander mixed with aggression, smashing four boundaries and five sixes as he took the likes of veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Iyer hit 44 off just 16 balls against Rashid, registering the third most runs scored by an Indian batsman against one bowler in a T20I innings, as he guided India to 158/7.England’s bowlers remained restrained throughout. Jofra Archer finished with excellent figures of 2/20, while Josh Tongue chipped in with 2/36.
Brook, Salt will blow up India
India’s defense of 158 got off to a good start as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler (8) early on, raising hopes of a competitive series. Those hopes quickly faded.Captain Harry Brook sparked a remarkable revival in the Indian attack, showcasing his varied stroke play. Constantly moving along the crease, controlling the field and punishing any loose ends, Brook dismissed the Indian bowling with ease.The England international ran off 21 balls at half-time before finishing unbeaten on 79 in just 24 overs, an innings filled with fearless strokes that left India with no answers.At the other end, Phil Salt played a brilliant innings, not out on 59 as the pair put on an unbroken stand of 151 after the first wicket. Their relentless fightback saw England chase down the target in just 13.5 overs, winning with 37 balls to spare.
A history of success
England’s big win secured their first T20I victory over two matches against India in a series that spanned two overs. Prior to this, India had won five of their previous six T20Is against England, with one ending. The defeat continued India’s recent struggle in the race. This marked the team’s second loss in a row against the T20I team led by captain Shreyas Iyer, following the earlier defeat to Ireland.The result also ended India’s perfect record in T20Is, having won 11 of the previous 12, apart from a 1-1 series draw in South Africa in December 2023. England will now enter the fifth and final T20I looking to complete the sweep, while India will be looking to salvage some pride after a good showing in Bristol.
Summary Scores
India: 158/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 80* off 49, Shivam Dube 22; Jofra Archer 2/20, Josh Tongue 2/36)England: 159/1 in 13.5 overs (Harry Brook 79* off 24, Phil Salt 59*; Arshdeep Singh 1/26)Results: England won by 9 wickets (with 37 balls to spare) and won the five-match T20I series 3-0.