India vs England 4th T20I : REVIEW

India vs England 4th T20I, Pune – India Wins Thriller to Clinch Series

India secured a thrilling 15-run victory over England in the 4th T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, sealing the T20 series 3-1. This match had everything—early wickets, a stunning comeback, and a tense finish, making it a perfect contest for T20 cricket fans.

India’s Innings: From Collapse to Comeback

After opting to bat first, India’s top order struggled against England’s pace attack. At 79/5 in 10 overs, the hosts were in deep trouble. But a brilliant partnership between Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube helped India post a competitive total.

Key Moments from India’s Batting:

Saqib Mahmood’s Triple-Wicket Over: The England pacer dismissed Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Surya kumar Yadav in quick succession, putting India under immense pressure.

Hardik Pandya & Shivam Dube’s Match-Saving Stand: The duo stitched an 87-run partnership, with Pandya smashing 53 off 30 balls and Dube  on 53 off 34.

England’s Chase: A Strong Start but Middle-Order Collapse

England’s chase started aggressively, with Ben Duckett leading the charge. At 65/2 in the powerplay, England seemed in control. However, India’s spinners and death-over specialists turned the game around.

Key Moments in England’s Chase:

Ben Duckett’s Explosive Start: His 39 off 19 balls gave England an ideal platform.

India’s Spin Attack Slows England Down: Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel picked up key wickets and tightened the run flow.

Harshit Rana’s Breakthrough Spell: The young pacer dismissed Jamie Overton and Jacob Bethell, shifting momentum back to India.

Arshdeep Singh Seals the Victory: England needed 25 off the last two overs, but Arshdeep Singh held his nerve, dismissing Saqib Mahmood to bowl England out for 166.

Match-Turning Moments

1. Saqib Mahmood’s Early Strikes: England dominated the first few overs with top-order wickets.

2. Dube & Pandya’s Fightback: Their game-changing partnership helped India recover.

3. England’s Middle-Order Collapse: Regular wickets in the middle overs halted their chase.

4. India’s Death-Bowling Execution: Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh held their composure to secure the win.

What This Means for India & England

For India:

✅ Winning the series with a game to spare is a huge boost ahead of the T20 World Cup.

✅ Shivam Dube’s emergence as a finisher strengthens India’s batting lineup.

✅ Young pacers Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh delivering under pressure is a big positive.

🔗 ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year 2024: Arshdeep Singh

For England:

⚠️ Failure to capitalize on a strong start continues to be a concern.

⚠️ The middle order needs to step up in pressure situations.

✅ Saqib Mahmood’s fiery spell was a highlight despite the loss.

Final Thoughts

This India vs England T20 match was a prime example of how unpredictable and exciting T20 cricket can be. India’s resilience and disciplined bowling ensured a hard-fought win. As the series moves to the final match, England will look to bounce back, while India aims to finish on a high.

Stay tuned for the 5th T20I as the action continues!