India secured a thrilling 15 run victory over England in the fourth T20 match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, on January 31, 2025. With this win, India clinched the series 3-1 in the five-match contest. Despite England’s efforts, India’s all-round performance ensured they stayed on top.
India’s Strong Batting Performance
Winning the toss, India opted to bat first. The hosts got off to a shaky start as Indias top order fell early, putting pressure on the middle order. However, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube took charge of the innings with brilliant half-centuries.
- Hardik Pandya played a counter-attacking knock of 53 off 30 balls, hitting some massive sixes.
- Shivam Dube provided solid support with 53 off 34 balls, ensuring that India reached a competitive total.
England’s bowlers, particularly Saqib Mahmood (3/35) and Adil Rashid (1/35), kept things tight. However, Saqib Mahmood was England’s best bowler, picking up 3 wickets for 35 runs. He dismissed Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma and Surya Kumar Yadav early and in the death overs Jamie Overton removed Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, preventing India from crossing the 190-run mark. Despite his efforts, India still managed to post 181/9 in 20 overs, setting a challenging target.
England’s Chase Falls Short
England started their chase cautiously, with Jos Buttler (36 off 24 balls) and Phil Salt (28 off 17 balls) providing a decent start. However, Indian bowlers struck at crucial moments, preventing England from building partnerships.
The turning point of the match came when Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi dismissed key batters in quick succession. Despite a late fightback from Harry Brook (51 off 26 balls), England fell short of the target, getting bowled out for 166 in 19.4 overs.
Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) was the star with the ball, troubling England’s batters. Harshit Rana (3/33), who came in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube, played a key role in India’s bowling attack.
Concussion Substitution Controversy
One of the biggest talking points of the match was India’s use of a concussion substitute. Shivam Dube suffered an injury while batting, and Harshit Rana replaced him as a like-for-like replacement. However, England’s captain Jos Buttler questioned the decision, arguing that Rana, a specialist bowler, wasn’t an exact replacement for Dube, who is an all-rounder.
Despite the controversy, Harshit Rana made an impact by taking three crucial wickets, helping India restrict England’s chase.
Top Performers of the Match
Hardik Pandya (53 off 30 balls) – Provided momentum to India’s innings.
Shivam Dube (53 off 34 balls) – Played a key role in building India’s total.
Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) – Bowled brilliantly to control England’s chase.
Harshit Rana (3/33) – Came in as a substitute and made an immediate impact.
Saqib Mahmood (3/35 & 17 off 9 balls) – Impressed with the ball taking 3 wickets and delivering a maiden over also.
Harry Brook (54 off 26 balls) – Fought hard but couldn’t take England over the line.
Whats Next
What’s Next?
With this win, India takes an unassailable 3-1 lead, securing the series. The final T20 match will be played in Ahmedabad on February 3, 2025. While India will aim to finish the series on a high, England will look to bounce back and salvage some pride before the series ends.
This thrilling contest showcased India’s all-round strength and England’s resilience. With one game left, fans can expect another exciting battle between these two top teams. Stay tuned for the final clash!
