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Jos Buttler and Harry Brook simply toyed with the Indian bowling line-up tonight, in the fifth of the five-match T20I series in Southampton. Balls were flying all over the park as Buttler and Brook were in full flow against the bowlers.
While Jos Buttler returned with 131 off 64, Harry Brook, the England skipper, remained unbeaten for 95 off 45; both of the batters batted with a strike rate over 200.
England recored highest ever T20I total vs India in Southampton
Riding high on the twin tornado, the Three Lions climbed to the mountain of runs, securing a total of 257, which is a record against India. England lost only three wickets to claim the total. According to the stats, it is the highest total scored by any team against India in the format.
Highest T20I totals vs India
257/3 Eng Southampton 2026
246/7 Eng Wankhede 2026
245/6 WI Lauderhill 2016
227/3 SA Indore 2022
Jos Buttler was the wrecker-in-chief
Jos Buttler was the wrecker-in-chief against the Indian bowlers. The experienced opener took the ball over the boundary twenty times: 12 fours and eight 6s. England captain Harry Brook was also there to accompany Buttler in the carnage.
Brook, who deserved a century, remained not out for 95 off 45, powered by four 4s and eight 6s. In total, Team India tonight has conceded 17 sixes, the second most by them in a T20 International, only behind the 21 they conceded against West Indies in Lauderhill in 2016.
According to Cricbuzz, the Men in Blue attracted another unwanted record through their below-par bowling: ' India bowled five overs of 20+ runs today – the most by them in a T20I; they have never had more than three such overs in a T20I previously.'
Axar Patel was the most expensive after bowling 4 overs
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan is among the experts who criticize the Indian bowling line-up. He mentioned that Jos Buttler, who was not in his best form, played swiftly. But the Indian bowlers also did wrong as they delivered multiple times into the right-handed batter's arc.
"Jos Buttler back to form. He is a joy to watch when in full flow. But how bad we have bowled to a guy who was under pressure. Many deliveries in his arc," Irfan Pathan said.
Shivam Dube was the most expensive bowler for India, as he leaked 22 runs in one over, but took a couple of wickets in return.
Among the bowlers who completed their 4-over quota, Axar Patel was the most expensive as he conceded 63 runs without taking any wicket. Prince Yadav, the pacer who was impressive in Nottingham, taking a brace, gave away 60 runs in 4 overs. Suryanash Shedge, who delivered only 3 overs, gave away 39 runs.
While most of the bowlers returned with expensive figures, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna did a comparatively decent job. Arshdeep remained wicketless, but his economy rate was 8.25, and Krishna's economy rate was also below ten with the wicket of Phil Salt.
