After the first match was abandoned due to rain, England had the final say during the second T20 game at Old Trafford, Manchester as they won by 4 wickets. Jacob Bethell held it together under pressure and played exceptionally well for 76*. 15-year-old young gun Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his T20I debut during the match and became India’s youngest international cricketer. 

Abhishek Sharma sets the tone, stitches 50 runs stand with Sooryavanshi 

The stylish lefty, Abhishek Sharma got off to a flying start as he notched up a good 43 in just 24 balls aced with eight fours and one six. He turned the tables on the opposition and together with debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stitched 50 runs opening partnership. He pierced the gaps well and stuck to his game plan giving India the added boost right from the beginning. Just when it looked, he would get to his individual half ton mark, England employed their great tactics with a key matchup of Sam Curran who eventually snapped up Sharma’s wicket.

Skipper Shreyas dominates, Ishan shines with bat and gloves

Ishan Kishan along with skipper Shreyas Iyer kept the scoreboard ticking with runs, stitching a 65 runs partnership for the third wicket. Skipper Shreyas led from the front… showing how it is done with the bat, contributed a quick fire 37(22), with three fours and one maximum before being dismissed by Liam Dawson.

Later, Ishan did well to reach 49 in 40 balls, but perished trying to go for a big hit. Brilliant behind the wickets as well, he took the catches of Phil Salt and Harry Brook.  

Sam Curran’s three wicket haul keeps India in check

Sam Curran grabbed key wickets of the man in form Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube. He finished his four over spell with 3/33. His line and lengths did fox the India batters, who eventually lost their plot in the middle. 

TV smashes quick cameo knock during the death

Our very own Tilak put his hand up when it mattered the most, making a quick fire 24 not out in just 11 deliveries, combined with one four and two sixes. He helped India get as many runs as possible during the death overs.

India eventually finished with 190/7 in their 20 overs.

Axar grabs his 100th T20I wicket, England in trouble at 51/3

For the first time, both England openers…Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were dismissed for ducks in a T20I innings. Further, Harry Brook’s 15 ball 39 blitz was cut short by Axar Patel. Brook looked to sweep and it came off the glove, which cut short his knock at the crease. Axar thus grabbed 100 T20I wickets, the first Indian spinner to reach this milestone and fourth overall for India.

Bethell’s half century helps England cross the winning line

Jacob Bethell was the star for England, playing some aggressive brand of cricket. His choice of shots was outstanding towards the latter half of the contest. He targeted Ravi Bishnoi’s 17th over, thus putting a lot of pressure on India. Bishnoi’s over costed the Men in Blue 29 runs and thus changed the momentum of the game. Bethell finished with 76*(46).

England chased down their target, 191/6 thus winning the contest by 4 wickets.

Brief Scores

India: 190/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 49, Abhishek Sharma 43; Sam Curran 3/33) lost to England: 191/6 in 19 overs (Jacob Bethell 76*; Arshdeep Singh 3/40) by 4 wickets.