IND vs ENG 2nd T20I: Tilak Verma’s Unbeaten Half-Century Helps India Beat England By 2 Wickets, Lead Series 2-0
Image: BCCI
Final: India Beat England in Cliffhanger
Tilak Verma’s terrific batting display in a pressure situation helped Team India beat England by 2 wickets in a nail-biting match at Chepauk. The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off 55 balls with Ravi Bishnoi remaining unbeaten on 9 runs.
Chasing 166 runs for victory, Abhishek Sharma started with three boundaries off Jofra Archer. However, England bounced back with the dismissal of openers Sharma and Sanju Samson. Wood removed Samson, while Archer dismissed Samson. India was reduced to 78-5 at one stage with Suryakumar Yadav, Dhruv Jurel and Hardik Pandya failing to make runs with the beat.
However ,Tilak Verma held the innings from one end and stitched a vital 38-run partnership with Tilak Verma. However, wickets of Verma (26 runs) and Axar Patel (2 runs) brought England back in the match. Arshdeep’s wicket added more drama but Tilak Verma and Ravi Bishnoi managed to take the team past the finish line
Final Over and it could be anybody’s game. 6 runs needed of 6 balls. Tilak Verma at crease and India still has the chance to snatch victory
Team India’s innings seems to have been derailed with half the side already back to pavilion. Hardik Pandya was the last wicket to fall. Onus on Tilak Verma and Washington Sundar to steer team to victory.
WICKET! Team India openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma failed to provid a solid start as England pacers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood strike early
Innings Break
Team India spinners bowled excellently to stop England at 165/9 in their 20 overs. Spinners once again had the say in Chepauk with Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Abhishek Sharma all picking up wickets.
Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav had won the toss and opted to bowl first. Arshdeep Singh removed Phil Salt, after which Indian spinners started to show their magic once again. The spin quattrest picked up wickets at regular intervals with Chakravarthy and Patel picking up 2 wickets apiece. For Engl;and skipper Jos Buttler smashed carried the bat with 45 runs off 30 balls, while Brydon Carse chipped in with 31 run of just 17 balls.
Can Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma once again showcase fireworks in powerplay? Stay tuned for more updates
Axar Patel has taken a huge wicket. Jos Buttler gone for 45 runs. Tilak Verma takes an easy catch. England have now last 4 wickets. England are crumbling to spin yet again.
England after being asked to bat first lost two wickets with Openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt both departing for less scores. Salt was dismissed by Arshdeep for 4, while Washington dismissed Ducket for 3 runs
Team India injury update
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out for the rest of the series with injury and Rinku Singh will be ruled out for the second and third matches
India vs England Playing XI
India Playing XI – Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
England Playing XI: hil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (capt), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Toss
Suryakumar Yadav Wins Toss, Elect To Bowl Against England
Preview
After a convincing 7-wicket victory in the first T20I, India will aim to continue their winning streak as they face England in the second match on January 25, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The hosts dominated in Kolkata, thanks to Arshdeep Singh’s early wickets and Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting, particularly against Mark Wood and Jofra Archer were the key contributions.
England, led by Jos Buttler, will look to bounce back after a disappointing start. Buttler was the lone bright spot with the bat, and the team will hope to build on his form while tightening their bowling.
