India Beat England 7 Wickets
First cricket T20I – as it happened
IND vs ENG 1st T20I Live Cricket Score Updates: Team India Dominates with Stellar Bowling Performance at Eden Gardens
In a gripping start to the T20I series at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, Team India showcased a sensational bowling display, restricting England to a modest total of 132 runs. Varun Chakravarthy dazzled with his spin magic, bagging three crucial wickets for the Men in Blue, while Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel each chipped in with two wickets, leaving the English batting lineup struggling to find momentum.
India’s Bowling Magic: A Night to Remember
India’s bowling lineup proved too hot to handle for England. Varun Chakravarthy, known for his mystery spin, weaved a web around the opposition, snaring three wickets and showcasing his knack for delivering under pressure. Seamers Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya joined the party, scalping two wickets each with impeccable precision and variations. Adding to the English woes, Axar Patel spun his way to two crucial breakthroughs, ensuring England never found their footing.
India’s Bowling Highlights:
- Varun Chakravarthy: Demonstrated his spin mastery by claiming 3 wickets for 23 runs, stifling England’s middle order.
- Arshdeep Singh: Made significant inroads early on, dismissing both England openers and finishing with commendable figures.
- Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya: Each contributed by taking two wickets, ensuring consistent pressure throughout the innings.
Jos Buttler: A Lone Warrior
Amidst the carnage, England’s star batter Jos Buttler stood resilient, playing a valiant knock of 68 runs off just 44 balls, peppered with elegant boundaries and towering sixes. Buttler’s innings was a masterclass in counterattacking cricket, as he single-handedly carried England to a somewhat respectable total. Despite his heroics, the lack of support from other batters proved to be England’s undoing.
India’s Chase:
Chasing a modest target of 133, India came out with guns blazing from the very first ball. The spotlight belonged to opener Abhishek Sharma, who delivered a scintillating performance with the bat. His jaw-dropping knock of 79 runs off just 34 deliveries was a spectacle of power and precision.
Key Moments:
- Powerplay Dominance: India’s bowlers restricted England to a cautious start, leading to early wickets and building pressure.
- Spin Supremacy: Chakravarthy and Patel’s effective spin bowling in the middle overs curtailed England’s scoring opportunities.
- Sharma’s Onslaught: Abhishek Sharma’s rapid half-century dismantled England’s bowling attack, setting the tone for a swift chase.
Looking Ahead:
With this victory, India takes a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Both teams will regroup and strategize for the second T20I, scheduled to take place in Chennai on Sunday.
