A record-shattering batting performance backed up equally outstanding bowling by the Bhuvneshwar Kumar-led seam-bowling unit has helped Team India win the final T20I by 36 runs and register their third consecutive T20I series win against England .
Chasing 225, England may have lost Jason Roy on the second ball of their innings but Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler ensured that the visitors got off to a rollicking start.
Malan, who has struggled throughout the series, laid into Indian seamers, especially Hardik Pandya, who went for 18 in his first over.
Malan raced his way to 33 off just 20 balls while Jos Buttler, courtesy back-to-back boundaries off Washington Sundar and a six off Shardul Thakur, stroked 14-ball 23 as England racked up 62 runs in the powerplay.
Buttler and Malan continued to smash the Indian bowlers as they racked up 42 runs in the next four overs to end up with 104 runs in the first 10.
Malan completed his half-century with a glance past fine-leg in the next over and he celebrated that with an audacious six over the cover-region and then a drive for a boundary. Buttler too completed his fifty in the next over as England racing their way to 1/127 in 12 overs.
Virat Kohli brought back Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the attack, a move which paid off as Jos Buttler finally mistimed a lofted drive to give an easy catch to Hardik Pandya at extra-cover. Bhuvi conceded just three runs in his over and Hardik Pandya backed it up with another brilliant over in which he gave away just six runs.
Shardul Thakur used his change of pace to brilliant effect and with the required rate moving past 16, Jonny Bairstow holed out in the deep. Thakur then proceeded to knock over Dawid Malan’s stumps with a knuckle-ball as England slumped to 4-142 after 15 overs. Eoin Morgan once again failed to put any substantial score as he failed to pick the slow bouncer bowled by Hardik Pandya and top-edged the attempted pull-stroke as England’s freefall continued.
The flurry of wickets completely broke the back of English batting and with the required run-rate hovering close to 20, the contest was essentially reduced to how close the visitors would get to India’s total.
Rampaging India smash 2-224 against England in the series-decider
Batting first, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, opening the innings for the first time in T20Is, got India off to a rollicking start despite a cautious first two overs of Adil Rashid.
The duo took the attack to England’s fast-bowling duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. The first two overs bowled by the duo saw Rohit and Virat smash as many as four boundaries, the pick of them being the straight dive by Sharma off Wood.
Virat Kohli brought up India’s 50 in just 5.2 overs courtesy a disdainful pull off Mark Wood behind square before Rohit Sharma proceeded to do an encore of it as India finished the powerplay at 0/60. Rohit was batting on a completely different level tonight.
After having struggled against Adil Rashid during the initial stage, the swashbuckler cut loose post the six he hit off leg-spinner in the 3rd over of the innings. And, he did not relent post that stroke. The opener raced his way to a 26-ball 44 after he pulled Chris Jordan for yet another six in the 7th over.
Rohit got a reprieve in the next over after he top-edge Sam Curran over the keeper’s head but Mark Wood couldn’t latch on it. Rohit proceeded to rub salt on England’s wounds as he flicked Sam Curran for another six over square-leg to race past his 50 in just 30 balls.
And, he backed it up with a straight six over Ben Stokes head before pulling him for a boundary as India raced to 92 in just 8.3 overs
Rohit’s innings may have come to an end after he failed to connect another pull shot on a slow bouncer bowled by Ben Stokes but India’s onslaught didn’t as Suryakumar Yadav picked up from where he had left in the last match.
Yadav announced his arrival with a straight six off Adil Rashid and then backed it up with another maximum courtesy an inside-out stroke over covers.It all happened on the second ball of the 14th when Suryakumar Yadav [32 off 17 balls] danced down the track and smashed Adil Rashid towards the deep midwicket region.
He then proceeded to lay into Chris Jordan as he smashed him for three consecutive boundaries courtesy of his trademark scoop shot. But just as it looked as if SKY was going to get another boundary off Adil Rashid but for Chris Jordan’s incredulous effort.
The Barbados-born English international plucked the catch with one hand and lobbed it straight to captain Eoin Morgan before crossing the boundary rope.
Virat Kohli [80* off 52 balls], however, continued to bat like he always does as he surgically picked out gaps in the field to bring up yet another half-century- his third of the series.
Hardik Pandya finally got himself going in the series as he smashed two sixes and four fours during his 17-ball. India racked up 66 runs in the last five overs as they breached their previous highest total against England [218 in the 2007 T20 World Cup] to finish at 2-224 after 20 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s series win over England-
A disappointing finale but the series showed how T20 series can ebb and flow, with context, narrative and new questions.
Most bilateral T20 series are deeply underwhelming – this has been a snapshot that they can be much more
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) March 20, 2021
Well played team India.. Great series win #ENGvsIND @BCCI @StarSportsIndia
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 20, 2021
What a GREAT win Team India? You boys put up a great show throughout the series? Big congratulations on the series win. Way to go. Jai Hind ?? #INDvENG @BhuviOfficial you beauty ❤️✅? @BCCI pic.twitter.com/z8HehwtdoO
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) March 20, 2021
Congratulations India. Both both teams contributed to what was a brilliant series of T20 cricket. https://t.co/qiMQJy7J5p
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 20, 2021
– Vs a full strength England team
– Lost 4/5 tosses
– No Bumrah
– 1-2 behind in the series
Then to win the series 3-2 is a phenomenal achievement from the Indian team ?? #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/4ixtc6Q6No— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 20, 2021
England's defeats in bilateral T20I series since WT20 2016 (2+ mat)
2-1 vs Ind in India 2017
2-1 vs Ind in England 2018
3-2 vs Ind in India 2021#INDvsENG— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 20, 2021
Fantastic victory for #TeamIndia and congrats are in order for winning the T20 series, my man of the match will be @BhuviOfficial for his splendid spell to take @BCCI to victory! #INDvsENG
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 20, 2021
third straight series win for india after losing the first game #INDvENG
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 20, 2021
Any team playing against India will now willingly lose the 1st match of the series.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 20, 2021
Utterly fascinating & brilliant series. The fact India won despite losing four tosses & missing Bumrah underlines their T20 talent pool. I loved the day-on, day-off pattern – which facilitated loads of analysis. Pleasure for @CricViz to be involved with @SkyCricket. #INDvENG
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 20, 2021
In a high scoring game and on a batting paradise to give away just 16 runs in 4 overs and picking 2 wkts including the dangerous Jos Butler is just a phenomenal performance. @BhuviOfficial is well and truly back?? #INDvENG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 20, 2021
While close to 400 runs have been scored in this game, @BhuviOfficial is the MoM, with outstanding figures of 4-0-15-2 #INDvsENG
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1373321165301760003
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been India's MVP in this series. Yet again showed his value. His third over (13th of the innings) changed the momentum in favour of India. Dismissed dangerous Buttler. Pin point accuracy with the new ball especially the first over
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 20, 2021
Down 1-2 and yet again they come back and beat the worlds best T20 team. There is something about this Indian team that makes them really special. We won’t lose is the mantra. Throw whatever you have at us and we will still comeback and win. Great to see. #INDvsENG
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 20, 2021
Bhuvi u beauty! What a time to get a wicket #INDvENG
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 20, 2021
Just like the last match the 3rd over of Shardul Thakur’s spell may well change the tide towards India. Good over to pick up 2 wickets especially that of set Dawid Malan. #INDvENG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 20, 2021
Shardul and two wickets in an over. Happy Days ?? #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 20, 2021
Brilliant batting from Dawid Malan. Full credit to the English Team Management for reposing faith in him inspite of his poor performances and lack of rhythm in this series so far. #INDvsENG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1373308368962650119?s=19
This is only the 9th time in T20I cricket that England have passed 100 after 10 overs. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) March 20, 2021
Dawid Malan in T20Is after facing 20 deliveries: 462 runs, 250 balls, scoring rate 11.1rpo. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) March 20, 2021
Ok this match is going to go down to the wire! Terrific hitting IN the power play by @josbuttler and Malan and the due is really starting to affect our bowling! #ENGvsIND
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 20, 2021
This is team India's highest score against England (Previous high 218). And it has come during series decider. Legendary stuff. #INDvENG
— cricBC (@cricBC) March 20, 2021
Rohit kills you with flamboyance, Virat kills you with surgical precision!
— Yash ?? (@im_yash2307) March 20, 2021
virat batted superbly himself and had the best seat in the house for some pretty awesome hitting at the other end through the innings #INDvENG
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 20, 2021
India v England T20 series is outrageously good @BCCI v @englandcricket amazing to see 2 very powerful sides go head to head. This will be a serious chase by England ???????
— Ryan Sidebottom ? (@RyanSidebottom) March 20, 2021
Real top class batting effort from #TeamIndia ! Brilliant knocks by all the batters today especially @ImRo45 & @imVkohli ! 224 is a massive total an almost impossible target to chase down! #INDvENG
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 20, 2021
Cameos from @surya_14kumar & @hardikpandya7 with the captain & vice-captain’s knock helped India ?? to score their highest ever total against England in T-20. @BCCI #INDvENG
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) March 20, 2021
That from India was as good a batting performance as you’ll see in T20 cricket!
BUT, important to remember the game is only half way through.
England will need to be at their best, but if any team can do it…#INDvENG— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 20, 2021
Baffled by the planning of English bowlers #INDvENG
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 20, 2021
Some serious batting from India going on
— Phil Tufnell (@philtufnell) March 20, 2021
OK, I’m calling it… this is the greatest piece of fielding in the history of cricket. ???
Absolutely insane by @CJordan #INDvENG @SkyCricket pic.twitter.com/SRf9Ehs4Z2— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2021
That's just ridiculous from Jordan.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) March 20, 2021
India have never a T20 International after scoring 200+ batting first – nine wins from nine previous instances. In seven of those names games, they won by a margin of 50+ runs.#INDvENG
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 20, 2021
Jordan living up to the name! ??#Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/fAcPXIwVzZ
— Hotstar Canada (@hotstarcanada) March 20, 2021
When India do decide to turn up in T20Is, my god they look formidable! ??? #INDvENG
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) March 20, 2021
Yadav c Roy b Rashid 32 Never has a scorecard entry concealed so much #indveng pic.twitter.com/pawKSJ5cHt
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) March 20, 2021
And then notches a half-century in his fourth of the series
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) March 20, 2021
They say “SKY” is the limit but who will limit the “SKy”?? Unreal skills from Surya???? #INDvsEng
— Mask up and take your vaccine???? (@ashwinravi99) March 20, 2021
Top class by Rohit , Surya and now Kohli ! What a batting line up. Just cancel the World Cup and give us the trophy 🙂 #INDvsENG
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 20, 2021
Some of us may not be able to see the ball at 150kmh and look at the time @ImRo45 has to play. Such skill and so gorgeous. #INDvENG
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 20, 2021
This batting performance from India may well be the template for the T20 World Cup?? #INDvENG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 20, 2021
Virat had a chat with ABD yesterday also #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/zu646i1mRW
— Gautam?✈️ (@Gkumaarrrr) March 20, 2021
PLAYER STAT: Most 50 plus scores as captain in T20Is:
12 – Virat Kohli
11 – Kane Williamson
10 – Aaron Finch
9 – Eoin Morgan
8 – Faf du Plessis
LIVE: https://t.co/A69OxMfh5x#INDvENG #ENGvIND— ?FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) March 20, 2021
Seeing Rohit and Virat opening.#IndvEng pic.twitter.com/YARUUbQvrY
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 20, 2021
7 overs, 7⃣0⃣ runs.
The new opening pair is on ?#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/jU5rIhR0NB
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) March 20, 2021
Outstanding Powerplay for India, reaching 60-0 after the opening six overs. It's their sixth highest unbeaten Powerplay in T20I cricket. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) March 20, 2021
Not surprised that India have chosen to play an extra bowler. Five is always a risk. Acknowledgement that the team is confident of Shardul and Washington at 7/8. But all eyes on Rohit and Virat. How's that for an opening combo!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 20, 2021
Just pictures of Rohit and Virat.#Master 's#INDvENG https://t.co/Fi8ySi8ryS
— Mahi VFCᴮᴱᴬˢᵀ ⍟ (@Itz_MahiVFC) March 20, 2021
Rohit and virat to open the innings
Rohirat❤️❤️
Fans be like pic.twitter.com/siIVVfvtgT— LAKHBIR? (@crazy_for_rohit) March 20, 2021
Mark Wood in the powerplay
First four T20Is: 3 for 18 (5 overs)
Fifth T20I: 0 for 28 (2 overs)— Matt Roller (@mroller98) March 20, 2021
For the first time in this T20I series, indian openers Completed 50 runs partnership. Courtesy Goes to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) March 20, 2021
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening for the first time in T20Is. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JGq1qT8p2N
— CricClubs (@cricclubs) March 20, 2021
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be opening for India today. Both have scored 9000-plus T20 runs.
Kohli has a SR of 140.17 as an opener in IPL while Rohit Shama has a SR of 139.17 in T20Is as an opener.#INDvENG
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 20, 2021
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma walking to the middle together to open is feels! ??????????#INDvENG
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 20, 2021
Kohli and Rohit opened in ODI in 2014.
Kohli and Rohit opening in T20I in 2021.After 7 years , Don't know when Next be.
— Diwakar Kumar¹⁸ (@diwakarkumar47) March 20, 2021