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INDvENG, 3rd T20I: England’s comeback win mars Chakaravarthy’s fifer

By Mumbai Indians

The third T20I of the England tour of India 2025 saw the visitors stay afloat in the series with a 26-run win.

The proceedings in Rajkot began with captain Suryakumar Yadav winning his third toss in a row and opting to field first. Moreover, the contest also marked the return of pacer Mohd. Shami to international cricket after 14 months! 👏

Well, the first innings was all about Varun Chakaravarthy’s mayhem, who did not let any batter free his arms en route to his five 🌟 performance!

In reply to the 172-run target, the T20I champions couldn’t get over the line owing to an underwhelming batting show. Here’s how the evening unfolded at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium:

HP strikes first, spinners follow!

All-rounder Hardik Pandya didn’t waste much time to get going, dismissing the out-of-form Phil Salt for five in the second over itself. Start bolte, HP! 🔥

However, skipper Jos Buttler joined Ben Duckett in the middle and the duo stitched a decent partnership to negate the early wicket.

Just when things were looking grim at 83/1 in 8.5 overs, spinners took matters into their own hands and turned the tables in typical 🇮🇳 fashion!

Varun traps England in his Chakravyuh!

Oh boy, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy keeps getting better with every game and what he showcased tonight was simply OUTSTANDING!

Beginning with Jos Buttler’s wicket, courtesy of Sanju Samson’s terrific catch, the 33-year-old ran through their batting unit, getting rid of Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer for single-digit scores to bag his second five-wicket haul in T20Is! 🤯

From 83/1 to 127/8, Chakaravarthy, aided by a wicket apiece from Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, didn’t leave any stone unturned as the Indian cricket team came right back into the game! 💪

आपला Pandya took the ninth and the final wicket of the English innings, with the scorecard reading 171/9 at the end of 20 overs.

Team India left reeling halfway through the chase

Opener Abhishek Sharma got his side off to a good start scoring 24 off 14, including five fours. Nonetheless, England pulled things back with wickets at regular intervals.

Our youngster Tilak Varma, who is in the form of his life, endured a rare off day, getting out on a peach of a delivery by Adil Rashid. At the 10-over mark, the scoreboard read 78/4.

Hardik Pandya’s spirited effort just wasn’t enough…

While the run rate slowed down amidst falling wickets, it was HP who held the fort till the start of the 19th over. Alas, his gritty 35-ball 40 went in vain as England emerged victorious by 26 runs.

With this result, both teams head to Pune for the fourth T20I, scheduled to take place on 30th January. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will look to bounce back and seal the series with an improved show at the MCA Stadium.

 

Brief scores: England 171/9 (Ben Duckett 51, Varun Chakaravarthy 5/24) beat India 145/9 (Hardik Pandya 40, Jamie Overton 3/24) by 26 runs.