England secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over India in Bristol on Thursday. Consequently, the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match T20 series. The win came against the reigning T20 world champions with one match remaining.
Brook and Salt Power England Chase
Chasing 159, England reached 159-1 with more than six overs to spare. Captain Harry Brook starred with an unbeaten 79 from just 35 balls. Meanwhile, Phil Salt remained unbeaten on 59 after an aggressive innings.
Brook struck eight fours and four sixes during his match-winning knock. Salt also impressed, smashing nine fours and one six. Together, they shared a dominant 146-run partnership after England lost an early wicket.
India’s Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler for eight. However, England quickly took control and never allowed India back into the contest.
Bowlers Restrict India Again
Earlier, England’s bowlers limited India to 158-7 despite an unbeaten 80 from captain Shreyas Iyer. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue claimed two wickets each after another disciplined performance.
Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 15 before Archer dismissed him for the second consecutive match. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma also departed cheaply as India slipped to 48-3.
Although Iyer and Shivam Dube added 53 runs, England maintained pressure throughout the innings. Dube eventually fell to Will Jacks after scoring valuable runs. Moreover, Sam Curran and Archer conceded only eight runs in the final two overs.
The victory followed England’s crushing 125-run win at Trent Bridge earlier this week. As a result, India suffered a record fifth consecutive T20 defeat, including the recent series loss in Ireland. England will now aim for a clean sweep in Saturday’s final match at Southampton.
