IND Vs ENG 1ST T20i :review

India Defeat England by Seven Wickets in Opening T20I as Abhishek Sharma Shines with Explosive Knock

Kolkata, January 22 – India kicked off their T20I series against England with a dominant seven-wicket win at Eden Gardens. A brilliant all-round performance saw India restrict England to a modest 132, before Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 79 off 42 balls powered the hosts to victory in just 12.5 overs, with 43 balls to spare.

England Struggles Against India’s Spin Attack

England, opting to bat first, found it challenging to handle India’s disciplined bowling. Their innings revolved around captain Jos Buttler, who top-scored with a resilient 68, while the rest of the batting order faltered against India’s potential spin attack.

India's left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh struck early, dismissing Phil Salt in the opening over with a sharp inswinger. He struck again soon after, removing Bem ducket reducing England to 17/2 inside three overs.

Jos Buttler tried to anchor the innings with aggressive strokeplay, but regular wickets at the other end put England on the back foot. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers, returning with impressive figures of 3/23, while Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi maintained tight lines to restrict the scoring.

Despite Buttler’s valiant efforts, his dismissal in the 16th over – courtesy of a stunning diving catch by Nitish Reddy – left England with little hope of a strong finish. Some late contributions from Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid pushed the total to 132, but it was far from a challenging target for the Indian batting lineup.

India’s Bowling Performance:

Varun Chakaravarthy: 4 overs, 23 runs, 3 wickets

Arshdeep Singh: 4 overs, 17 runs, 2 wickets

Axar Patel: 4 overs, 22 runs, 2 wicket

Hardik pandya: 4 overs, 42 runs, 2 wicket

Ravi Bishnoi: 4 overs, 22 runs, 0 wicket

India’s Chase: Abhishek Sharma’s Heroics Steal the Show

India’s run chase got off to a flying start, thanks to Sanju Samson’s aggressive intent. After a cautious opening over, Samson smashed Gus Atkinson for four consecutive boundaries and a six in a single over, racing to 26 before falling to a mistimed shot.

At 41/2, Abhishek Sharma took control of the innings, launching a brutal attack on England’s pace duo of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. His fearless strokeplay and quick running between the wickets saw India reach 63/2 at the end of the powerplay, putting the game beyond England’s reach.

Abhishek’s standout moment came against Adil Rashid, when he capitalized on a dropped catch to hammer him for a boundary and two towering sixes. His blistering 20-ball fifty displayed his aggressive intent and shot-making prowess. Though Rashid managed to dismiss him later with a well-disguised googly, India were already on the verge of victory.

Tilak Varma Guides India to Victory

With just 33 runs needed from the last six overs, Tilak Varma played a steady supporting role, ensuring a smooth finish. India comfortably chased down the target in 12.5 overs, securing a commanding win with seven wickets in hand.

Key Highlights:

Clinical Bowling: Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep Singh dismantled England’s batting lineup.

Buttler's Lone Resistance: England’s captain fought hard with a gritty 68 but lacked support.

Abhishek Sharma's Blazing Knock: His 79 off 42 balls was the match-defining performance.

Early Finish: India chased down the target with ease, leaving 43 balls remaining.

Match Summary:

England: 132/8 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 68; Varun Chakaravarthy 3/23, Arshdeep Singh 2/17)

India: 133/3 in 12.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 79; Jofra Archer 2/21)

Result: India won by 7 wickets.

Post Match Presentation

Varun Chakravarthy (Player of the Match) mentioned that he’s used to pitches like this from the IPL, where seamers get some help. He focuses on hitting the right lengths and keeping the ball away from the batsmen’s hitting zone. Despite the challenge of bowling at Eden Gardens, especially against big names like Jos Buttler, he felt he was able to use bounce effectively. He rated his performance 7/10 and knows there’s still work to do.

Suryakumar Yadav talked about the team's positive energy, especially after winning the toss, which set the tone for the game. He praised the bowlers for sticking to their plans and executing well, and highlighted the decision to play three spinners, which worked well. He also mentioned Varun Chakravarthy’s clear mindset and preparation, as well as Arshdeep Singh taking on more responsibility with the ball. The team is aiming for a new approach compared to the 2024 T20 World Cup, focusing on good energy in the field and making the most of every opportunity.

Jos Buttler admitted the pitch offered some early movement that they didn’t expect, making it tough to get going. Once they got through that phase, though, the pitch played well for batting. While they didn’t quite manage to play their aggressive game, he praised the fast bowlers, especially Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, for their pace and threat. He’s excited about the team’s aggressive mindset and the positive atmosphere under coach McCullum.

Abhishek Sharma expressed how much he appreciates the freedom given by the captain and coach, which helps him play his natural game. He was impressed with the bowlers, who made the chase easier than expected. Thanks to his IPL experience, he was prepared for the short-pitched deliveries from the English pacers and felt confident at the crease.

India’s dominant performance in the opening T20I sets the stage for an exciting series. With momentum on their side, they will look to continue their winning run, while England will need to reassess their strategy and find ways to counter India’s strong bowling attack in the next match.