Cricket News: India VS England T20 Hardik Pandya show as England failed to continue their test form

The host was never in the game and conceded their biggest defeat by 50 runs at home courtesy of a brilliant bowling display by India. With this win, Rohit Sharma became the first captain to record 13 successive wins in T20Is.

India's successful intent to attack from the first ball

Despite losing both openers, India posted a quickfire 66 in the powerplay, which was the highest powerplay score at Ageas Bowl this season. Rohit Sharma 24(14), Deepak Hooda 33(17), and Suryakumar Yadav 39(19) attacked from the very first ball. Chris Jordan stopped Suryakumar Yadav's fiery innings and became England's highest wicket-taker (82) in T20Is, but Hardik Pandya carried on the carnage to notch up his first-ever T20I fifty 51(33). England pulled things back in the last five overs, giving away just 41 runs and picking four wickets. Despite falling short of 200, India scored their highest total, batting first in England.

A world-class bowling display by India's pace attack

England's powerful opening pair looked struggling from the very first over when Bhuneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh started swinging the balls in both directions. Jason Roy looked like a club cricketer struggling with the swings from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the big man Jos Buttler was shocked by an inswinger and went for a golden duck in the first over of the match by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Arshdeep Singh continued this pressure and was the second Indian after Ajit Agarkar to start his T20I career with a maiden over.

Four of the top guns were back in the pavilion in 6.1 overs. Moeen Ali, who became only the 10th England player to feature in 50 T20I Games and debutant Harry Brook added 61 runs quickly to bring the chase back on track. But Yuzvendra Chahal trapped both the set batters in the same over to get the breakthrough for India. Indian bowlers restricted England to 148 in 19.3 overs as debutant Arshdeep Singh returned with two wickets in death overs. 

Return of the bests

Before the match, no one thought India would win this way. England was the favourite to carry on their aggressive approach and momentum. The return of Rohit Sharma as Captain and Hardik Pandya, who became the first Indian cricketer to score a fifty and pick four wickets in a T20I game, brought back the same confidence India was missing. 

Hardik Pandya (Player of the Match) said, "The last time I played a T20 in England, I think I took 4 wickets and scored some 30. So I kind of knew I was the first Indian to score fifty and take 4 wickets. I am enjoying my cricket right now. For me, a lot of time goes into the preparation to get my body ready. The kind of break I took before this run of play I want to capitalize on the opportunities. I felt I needed that break. It is about giving your 100% and when you don't do that, there is no point playing. So I needed that break and now I am happy to be in this place right now."

Both the teams will be now heading towards Birmingham for the second T20I on 9th July 2022. The confidence shown by India in this match will be itching England's dugout, but the next game will be much better competition. The limelight of the game will be the return of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.