India vs England 1st T20I Match Highlights:
Under Surya Kumar Yadav's leadership, the Indian team made a sensational start, clinching the first game of the 5-match T20 series against England by 7 wickets. England set a target of 133 runs, which India chased successfully within 12.5 overs. Credit for the victory primarily goes to Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Batting at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, India began aggressively in pursuit of the target. Sanju Samson, despite his efforts, was dismissed after scoring 26 runs in 20 balls, and captain Surya Kumar Yadav couldn’t open his account. At one point, India stumbled at 41 for 2.
Abhishek sponsors a half-century in 20 balls
Abhishek took charge then, smashing a quickfire half-century off just 20 balls, including 6 sixes and 3 fours. His stellar innings ensured India's victory at 12.5 overs with a 7-wicket margin, giving India a 1-0 lead in the series. The next match is set for January 25 in Chennai.
Abhishek scored a thrilling 79 runs off 34 balls in this Kolkata T20 clash, featuring 8 sixes and 5 fours. Tilak Verma stood unbeaten at 19 while Hardik Pandya remained not out on 3. Together with Tilak, Abhishek forged an 84-run partnership off 42 balls for the third wicket. England found solace only in Jofra Archer's bowling prowess, who claimed both crucial wickets.
India's Scorecard: (133/3, 12.5 overs)
England falters against Arshdeep and Varun
After losing the toss, England's batting order crumbled early. Arshdeep Singh dominated from the start, dismissing Phil Salt in the first over itself. Subsequently, in the third over, Arshdeep orchestrated Ben Duckett's dismissal, caught by Rinku Singh.
Despite England losing its second wicket at 17, captain Jos Buttler helped stabilize the innings, pushing the score beyond 50. However, Varun Chakravarthy's spin disrupted England again, removing Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in quick succession at 65 for 4.
Remarkably, Buttler reached a half-century in 34 balls before being dismissed for 68 off 44 balls. Eight of England's batsmen failed to reach double figures, and the team collapsed at 132 runs. Varun Chakravarthy emerged as India's leading wicket-taker with three scalps, while Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel shared two wickets each.
England's Scorecard: (132 runs, 20 overs)
Arshdeep Singh Carves His Name in History
By securing two wickets against England, Arshdeep etched his name in history as India's leading wicket-taker in T20 international matches, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 96 wickets in 80 matches. Arshdeep achieved this feat in just his 61st match.
Top Indian T20I Wicket-takers
97 wickets - Arshdeep Singh (61 matches) 96 wickets - Yuzvendra Chahal (80) 90 wickets - Bhuvneshwar Kumar (87) 89 wickets - Jasprit Bumrah (70) 89 wickets - Hardik Pandya (110)
Surprising Exclusion of Shami from India's Playing-11
England unveiled its playing-11 a day earlier. Post toss, India's line-up was announced, unexpectedly excluding Mohammed Shami. Notably, India has played 9 T20 matches at Eden Gardens with just one defeat, that too against England.
India's first T20 match at this iconic venue was on October 29, 2011, also against England, where it suffered a significant 6-wicket defeat.
India historically dominates England
In T20s, India has consistently outperformed England. Out of 25 face-offs, India boasts 14 wins, with England securing 11. This dominance is evident whenever the two teams play against each other.
India vs England T20 Head-to-Head
Total Matches - 25 India Wins - 14 England Wins - 11
First Match Against England Post Kohli-Rohit's Retirement
This match marked the first encounter between India and England in any format following Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20I. Their last fierce face-off was during the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final.
India, under Rohit Sharma's captaincy on June 27, 2024, in Guyana, delivered a huge blow to Buttler-led England, winning by 68 runs, eventually lifting the World Cup trophy. Following this triumph, Rohit and Kohli retired from T20 internationals.
India Playing-11:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh.
England Playing-11:
Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wicketkeeper), Jos Buttler (captain), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood.
