An exquisite batting display by Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer backed up by brilliant bowling performance-led by Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya has helped Team India to draw level the five-match series as they successfully defended 185 to win the 4th T20I by 8 runs.
Defending 185, Team India got off to a good start as Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a maiden first over and backed it up with the wicket of the dangerous Jos Buttler.
Jason Roy and Dawid Malan struggled against the chance of pace strategy employed by the Indian seamers as England managed just 31 runs in the first five.
However, Roy took full toll on Washington Sundar as the opener smoked him for a six and a couple of boundaries to ensure that England finished at 1/48 after the first six.
One wicket brought two for India as Hardik Pandya was eventually rewarded for his consistent use of slow bouncers and change-of-pace deliveries as Jason Roy (40 off 27) mistimed an attempted pull giving Suryakumar Yadav an easy catch at midwicket. England 3-66 after 9.
Stokes smashed a four and a six off Rahul Chahar in the next over before the leg-spinner finally broke the onslaught as Jonny Bairstow (25 off 19) mistimed the hoike to give an easy catch to Washington Sundar at point.
Hardik Pandya backed Shardul’s over with another brilliant six balls as he once again constantly employed change of pace and slow bouncers before eventually knocking over Sam Curran. Pandya registered his spell in T20I cricket as he finished with figures of 2-16 in four overs. With 33 needed off 12 balls, England needed a cameo from either Jofra Archer or Chris Jordan and it nearly came from the former, who smashed Thakur for consecutive sixes in the last over.
Archer’s onslaught brought Shardul under immense pressure as he bowled consecutive wide balls but the seamer came back brilliantly to dismiss Jordan and ensure India assume parity in the five-match series.
India racked up 8-185 thanks to whirlwind knocks from Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer
Batting first, India couldn’t have asked for a better start as Rohit Sharma smashed Adil Rashid for a six over his head on the very first delivery of the innings. Sharma, who also became the second Indian to rack up 9000 T20 runs, became the first India to smash a six off the very first ball of a T20I inning. Rohit backed it up with a flick past fine-leg for a boundary as India raced to 10 in just three balls, the same score that they had managed in three overs in the first and second T20I.
All eyes were on KL Rahul though.
And, the No.4 ranked T20I batsman looked right on the money as he looked more assured in his defense and footwork. Rahul stroked a sumptuous square-drive to notch up his first boundary of the series.
However, just as it looked that the openers were looking prime to get India off to a flier, Jofra Archer broke the 19-run-stand when he befuddled Sharma with a 124 kph leg-cutter, who ended up giving an easy catch to the bowler.
Yadav continued to play exquisite strokes as India moved to 1/59 in 7 overs. However, England hit back as Chris Jordan dismissed KL Rahul, who failed to clear the infield while driving on the up, and Adil Rashid claimed the big fish in Virat Kohli, who was stumped for a 5-ball 1.
The next four overs saw India manage just 21 runs as SKY and Pant looked to rebuild the innings. Yadav, however, was imperious against Adil Rashid. After having swept the leggie for a boundary in the initial phase of his innings, he proceeded to slog-sweep the leg-spinner for another boundary in the 12th over to break the shackles.
And, he backed it up with a cut past backward point to bring up his maiden T20I fifty in his debut innings. It eventually took a ridiculous on-field decision by the umpire where it was clearly evident that the catch claimed by Dawid Malan at deep fine-leg wasn’t conclusive.
The duo racked up 34 runs in the next three overs before Jofra Archer cleaned up Pant. Hardik Pandya (11 off 8) once again struggled against the hard length and in a hit his way out of it, he was dismissed thanks to an outstanding catch by Ben Stokes, who dived to his left. Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar perished in a bid to get some quick runs but Shardul Thakur’s 4-ball 10 ensured that India finished with 8-185 after 20.
Here’s how Twitter reacted-
Jofra Archer’s brilliant cameo goes in vain as India defeat England by 8 runs in the fourth T20I ?
The series is now tied at 2-2.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G ➡️ h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->r<!---->q<!---->F<!---->j<!---->w<!---->U<!---->K<!---->g<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->Z<!---->b<!---->c<!---->s<!---->F<!---->V<!---->G<!---->Z<!---->c<!---->j
— ICC (@ICC) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Great game. Congratulations, India.
All set up for a MASSIVE decider!#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1372605363741163520
Super comeback by different heroes at critical stages of #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G game by Indian players. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->t<!---->2<!---->0
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Hardik Pandya has only twice bowled a more economical four-over spell in his T20 career than tonight. Both of those matches were for Baroda in the 2016 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Bow down to Lord Shardul Thakur p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->d<!---->A<!---->5<!---->Q<!---->T<!---->t<!---->x<!---->m<!---->n
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Shardul Thakur! The Leader, the Lord, the Messiah!
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->h<!---->B<!---->B<!---->g<!---->8<!---->N<!---->o<!---->6<!---->Q<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->b<!---->i<!---->2<!---->s<!---->H<!---->v<!---->o<!---->j<!---->n<!---->n
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
England's innings surged as their right and left-handers took on their match-ups.
Bairstow v Sundar 20 (10)
Stokes v Chahar 26 (11)#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->d<!---->E<!---->0<!---->a<!---->G<!---->B<!---->Q<!---->A<!---->K<!---->h— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
This is the first time in his T20I career that Dawid Malan has gone four successive innings without passing 50. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
However, Hardik has been outstanding with the ball.
Just a solitary wicket to show for but ER of 6.58 is simply outstanding. And has conceded just six boundaries in his 12 overs. Changes of pace have been spot on!!!#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->R<!---->X<!---->2<!---->g<!---->6<!---->0<!---->b<!---->8<!---->X<!---->A— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Malan and KL Rahul carrying some outstanding form for PBKS into IPL.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
That’s out Mr. Umpire? You sure about it? If you are may be we are seeing two different matches here. @<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r was undoubtedly unfortunate is what I will say. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->p<!---->4<!---->7<!---->p<!---->T<!---->t<!---->r<!---->P<!---->t<!---->k
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
How could Adil Rashid not know his heel was touching/feeling the rope while taking that catch? Incompetent umpiring yes, but in my book Rashid did WRONG #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->A<!---->d<!---->i<!---->l<!---->R<!---->a<!---->s<!---->h<!---->i<!---->d
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
How can this be out. When you are not sure whether the ball was taken cleanly after watching so many replays using top class technology and still go by the soft signal given by the on-field umpire. I think this rule needs to be revisited and changed. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->b<!---->5<!---->X<!---->M<!---->d<!---->H<!---->8<!---->q<!---->E<!---->z
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Violets are blue, so is Sky
Dear @<!---->i<!---->c<!---->c 'soft signal' why?
#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g #<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r #<!---->N<!---->o<!---->t<!---->O<!---->u<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->c<!---->C<!---->D<!---->Y<!---->X<!---->j<!---->p<!---->M<!---->V<!---->t— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Third umpire while making that decision. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->t<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->J<!---->J<!---->p<!---->2<!---->N<!---->l<!---->d<!---->c<!---->I<!---->8
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Sorry but Dawid Malan totally dropped that for me…the ball was grounded ! I mean , come on ??♂️ #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G ?
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
SKY is the Limit. SKY is limitless.
That’s it…that’s the tweet ?? #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Fearless. Innovative. Aggressive. Thoroughly enjoyed @<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r first knock at the highest level. An innings of some serious quality. Hopefully first of many half centuries #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->2<!---->z<!---->V<!---->L<!---->Q<!---->r<!---->5<!---->z<!---->W<!---->r
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Very happy for @<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r just batting like he’s playing an ipl game ! In my World Cup squad for sure ?????? #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->l<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
.@<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r ??? Proud of you brother! ?? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->o<!---->2<!---->y<!---->l<!---->H<!---->6<!---->6<!---->0<!---->P<!---->z
— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Well done @<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->D @<!---->S<!---->t<!---->a<!---->r<!---->S<!---->p<!---->o<!---->r<!---->t<!---->s<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a @<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->I
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1372569186346487811?s=19
Adil Rashid has now dismissed Virat Kohli eight times in international cricket. Only Tim Southee (10) has dismissed the India captain more frequently than him. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Hitting a Six on the first ball of T20I career: (Full member nations)
Sohail Tanvir (PAK)
Jerome Taylor (WI)
Xavier Marshall (WI)
Kieron Pollard (WI)
Tino Best (WI)
Mangaliso Mosehle (SA)
Mark Adair (IRE)
Suryakumar Yadav (IND)#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G— ESPNcricinfo stats (@ESPNcric_stats) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1372546726834311169?s=19
What a way to get off the mark in international cricket?
Suryakumar Yadav has smashed the first ball he faces for ?? for a 6⃣#<!---->P<!---->l<!---->a<!---->y<!---->B<!---->o<!---->l<!---->d #<!---->W<!---->e<!---->A<!---->r<!---->e<!---->C<!---->h<!---->a<!---->l<!---->l<!---->e<!---->n<!---->g<!---->e<!---->r<!---->s #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->a<!---->Y<!---->B<!---->O<!---->l<!---->T<!---->y<!---->p<!---->q<!---->x
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Fancy that! @<!---->s<!---->u<!---->r<!---->y<!---->a<!---->_<!---->1<!---->4<!---->k<!---->u<!---->m<!---->a<!---->r, literally sprinting out to bat for the first time for India. And playing his favourite pick up shot for six first ball!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1372546019812986884?s=19
Man who hits a four almost at will on most days in this format looked so relieved after hitting one. Go well, KL.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Rohit Sharma becomes the first Indian to hit a Six in first ball of a T20I innings…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
Hitting a six off the first ball of a T20I
Kamran Akmal
Karim Sadiq
Dwayne Smith (twice)
Martin Guptill
Colin Munro
Hazratullah Zazai
ROHIT SHARMA#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
India took 3 balls today to exceed their run tallys after 3 overs in both the 1st and 3rd T20I. ?????????
— Adam Sutherland (@ADSutherland_) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1
