India clinch T20I series against England with Pune victory

TDT | Agencies

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India clinched the T20I series against England with a 15-run victory in Pune, securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube orchestrated a stunning fightback with half-centuries, while the bowlers, led by Harshit Rana and the spinners, ensured a successful defense of 182.

England appeared to be in control early in their chase as openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt blasted 62 runs in the powerplay. However, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Duckett off the last ball of the sixth over, and Axar Patel removed Salt in the following over, shifting momentum in India’s favor. Bishnoi then struck again to remove England captain Jos Buttler, tightening India’s grip on the match.

Earlier, India found themselves in deep trouble at 79 for five before Pandya (53 off 30) and Dube (who also bowled briefly before being controversially replaced by Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute) lifted the team to 181 for nine. Pandya reached his fifty in just 27 balls before falling to Jamie Overton, but his efforts, along with Dube’s, ensured a competitive total.

The match began with a dramatic first over as England pacer Saqib Mahmood delivered a triple-wicket maiden, dismissing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. Despite the setback, India managed to recover and set a target that ultimately proved too much for England.