Published: Feb 01, 2025, 12:01 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 01, 2025, 12:01 AM (IST)
The Indian team secured the T20I series against England, as they won the fourth match of the series by 15 runs in Pune. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were the two players who saved the team from an unstable start and formed India’s competitive total of 181.
However, the spotlight had Harshit Rana on focus with his score of 3/33. Harshit came in as a substitute for Shivam Dube, and delivered a game changing performance by taking three wickets and destroying England’s batting lineup.
England had won the toss and chose to bowl first. Indian team showed promise at the start of inning, as Abhishek Sharma scored 29 runs including a four and a six. However, the momentum waddled as Sanju Samson was vulnerable against short deliveries yet again. Tilak Varma also fell as soon as he came right after Sanju Samson.
As India was in a difficult position, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube came to the pitch, and carried India’s score to a respectable total. Pandya was cautious when he came in. However, as he reached 12 runs off 16 balls, he shifted his style with Dube, and brought an onslaught on the English bowlers.
By the time Pandya got dismissed, India had recovered pretty well, as they reached 166. Shivam also completed his own half-century and made his own contribution to India’s total of 181.
England’s batting began well, as the team reached 53 runs in their first 5 overs. It was Ravi Bishnoi coming into the attack that slowed the visitors. It was Bishnoi who also took the first wicket. A collapse got triggered after this wicket, as Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi took a few other wickets.
Harshit Rana then dismissed Jos Buttler. He further dismissed Liam Livingstone. On the other hand, Harry Brook had a good start to his game. He got dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, who also dismissed Brydon Carse.
Rana then secured his second wicket, as Jacob Bethell tried a big shot, which was caught by Suryakumar Yadav. Ravi Bishnoi then took Jofra Archer’s wicket, further putting pressure on England. Jamir Overton and Rashid were sent back to the dugout by Rana as India secured their victory.
