IND vs ENG: 1st T20I Review – India thump England in Kolkata

Jos Buttler played counter-attacking cricket and stitched a 48-run partnership off 28 balls alongside Harry Brook. However, Varun Chakaravarthy bowled a brilliant spell through the middle overs, with fellow spinners Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi giving him great support. England kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 132 in 20 overs.

In reply, the hosts got off to a dazzling start before Jofra Archer dismissed Sanju Samson and Suryakumar in the fifth over. However, Abhishek Sharma played a gem of an innings as he hit boundaries at will against the seamers and the spinners. The southpaw was eventually dismissed when India needed just eight runs to win.

Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma finished the formalities as the Men in Blue won by seven wickets, taking just 12.5 overs to reach the paltry target.

Top performers of the match

Abhishek Sharma – 79 off 34 balls

The five-match T20I series against England is crucial for Abhishek as he hasn’t been able to perform consistently for India since he made his debut last year against Zimbabwe. The Punjab batter didn’t show any signs of being under pressure as he attacked the England bowlers from the outset. His knock of 79 off 34 balls was laced with five fours and eight sixes. Best bowling performance:

Varun Chakaravarthy – 3/23

Arshdeep gave India a great start as he picked up two wickets with the new ball. However, England got back into the game with the partnership between Buttler and Brook. Chakaravarthy came in and showed his class as he dismissed Brook and Liam Livingstone in one over to turn things in India’s favour. The Tamil Nadu spinner went on to pick the prized wicket of Buttler, which stopped England from finishing with a flourish.

What’s next for the two teams?

India and England will battle it out once again in the second T20I at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, January 25.