The third T20 match between India and England took place on January 28, 2025, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. After losing the first two matches, England made a strong comeback with an impressive 26-run victory, keeping the five-match T20 series alive. With this win, England reduced India’s lead to 2-1 and set up an exciting contest for the remaining games.
England’s Strong Batting Performance
After winning the toss, England opted to bat first, aiming to put up a competitive total on the board. Their innings started on a positive note, with Ben Duckett playing a quickfire 51 off 28 balls, hitting boundaries at regular intervals and putting early pressure on the Indian bowlers.
Liam Livingstone provided crucial support with a powerful 43 off 24 balls, attacking the Indian spinners and ensuring England built on their strong start.
However, Varun Chakravarthy turned the game around with an outstanding spell, picking up 5 wickets for just 24 runs. His sharp spin bowling troubled England’s middle order, leading to a mini-collapse.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, a late cameo from Chris Woakes (22 off 12 balls) helped England post a competitive total of 171/9 in 20 overs.
India’s Struggle in the Run Chase
Chasing a target of 172, India’s batting lineup faced early trouble, as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed cheaply within the powerplay. England’s bowlers maintained tight control, making it difficult for Indian batters to settle.
Hardik Pandya played a fighting knock of 40 runs, showing his ability to counterattack, but he lacked support from the other end. England’s bowlers, especially Jamie Overton (3/24) and Adil Rashid (1/15), kept things tight, ensuring India never got momentum in the chase.
As wickets kept falling, Axar Patel tried to revive India’s hopes with some late hitting, but it wasn’t enough. India could only manage 145/9 in 20 overs, falling short by 26 runs.
Top Performers of the Match
Ben Duckett: His aggressive 51 off 28 balls provided England with a strong start.
Liam Livingstone: A crucial 43 off 24 balls helped England set a solid total.
Varun Chakravarthy: The standout bowler for India, taking 5 wickets for 24 runs and keeping England in check.
Jamie Overton: Led England’s bowling attack with 3 wickets for just 24 runs, making it tough for India.
Adil Rashid: Bowled a tight spell, conceding only 15 runs in 4 overs and picking up a key wicket.
What’s Next in the Series
With this win, England has kept the series alive, making the score 2-1 in favor of India. The fourth T20 match will be played in Pune, where England will try to level the series, while India will aim to win and secure the series.
This match showed England’s determination and fighting spirit. The series is getting more exciting, and fans can look forward to more thrilling matches as both teams compete for victory. Stay tuned for more updates on the India vs England T20 series 2025!
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