England produced a batting masterclass to beat India by 9 wickets in the fourth T20I at the Bristol County Ground to seal the five-match series with an undisputed 3-0 lead. Chasing 159 runs, the home team romped home in just 13.5 overs thanks to a stunning unbeaten partnership between captain Harry Brooke and opener Phil Salt. The big win also ended a long wait for England, who won a bilateral T20I series for the first time in two or more games against India.
Shreyas Iyer fights alone to save India
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India once again experienced a familiar top-order collapse against England’s relentless pace attack. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell to 15 after a promising start while Ishan Kishan (4) and Abhishek Sharma (16) failed to convert their start as Jofra Archer and co reduced the visitors to 48/3 in the opening seven overs.As wickets tumbled around him, skipper Shreyas Iyer held his head high and brought another rescue to the team with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls. The right-hander was both clinical and aggressive, smashing four boundaries and five sixes while taking a special liking to veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Iyer’s 44 runs off just 16 balls against Rashid became the third highest score by an Indian batsman against a lone bowler in a T20I innings as he led India to a win of 158/7.However, England’s bowlers remained disciplined throughout. Jofra Archer finished with brilliant figures of 2/20 while Josh Tongue finished with figures of 2/36.
Brooke, salt blows away India
Defending for 158, India got off to a positive start when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler (8) early, briefly boosting hopes of a tight contest. These hopes were quickly dashed.Captain Harry Brook unleashed a stunning attack on India’s attack, showcasing his all-round stroke play. Continuously shuffling his way through the crease, manipulating the field and punishing anything loose, Brooke destroyed India’s bowling with stunning ease.The England captain, who scored 21 half-centuries, ended up unbeaten on 79 off just 24 deliveries in an innings filled with fearless batting that left India without answers.At the other end, Phil Salt played a perfect supporting role as the pair put together an unbeaten 151-run stand after early wickets to remain unbeaten on 59 runs. Their relentless counterattack ensured that England took just 13.5 overs to equalize the target and win with 37 balls remaining.
historic series win
England’s comprehensive victory ensured their first win over India in a bilateral T20I series that featured more than two matches. Prior to this series, India had won five of the previous six bilateral T20I series against England, drawing one of them. The defeat also continues India’s recent struggles in the format. This marked the team’s second consecutive defeat in a bilateral T20I series under captain Shreyas Iyer after earlier defeat in Ireland.The result also ended India’s impressive record in bilateral T20I events, which had seen India win 11 of the previous 12 series, with the only exception being a 1-1 draw in South Africa in December 2023. England will now head into the fifth and final T20I looking to complete a series sweep, while India will aim to restore pride after a comprehensive defeat at Bristol.
summary score
India: 158/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 80* 49 runs, Shivam Dube 22; Jofra Archer 2/20, Josh Tongue 2/36)England: 159/1 in 13.5 overs (Harry Brooke 79* in 24 runs, Phil Salter 59*; Arshdeep Singh 1/26)result: England won by 9 wickets (37 balls remaining) and sealed the five-match T20I series 3-0.
