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Jos Buttler ( Image Credit: Twitter)
On the back of a dominant half-century from Jos Buttler, England went about to chase 157 runs against India in the third T20I to take a lead of 2-1 in the five-match series. Coming on the back of a victory, India made a single change as they included Rohit Sharma into the eleven, benching Suryakumar Yadav, who made his debut in the previous game.
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At the toss, the visiting skipper, Eoin Morgan, called correctly as England opted to chase, and some sensational fast bowling from Mark Wood and Jofra Archer reduced India to 24/3 at one stage, with both openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul back inside the pavilion alongside Ishan Kishan.
Rishabh Pant ensured that the tumbling was stopped as he joined skipper Virat Kohli for a 38-run stand for the fourth wicket, although an attempt to steal an extra run off a misfielding proved costly to India as Pant failed to make his ground and was dismissed run-out for a 20-ball 25. While India struggled to find momentum, Kohli (77* from 46) ensured to secure his wicket to accelerate later.
The Indian skipper launched an attack in the death overs alongside Hardik Pandya (17 from 15), as he notched up his second half-century of the series, and added 70 runs from just 35 to take India to a respectable total of 156/6.
Out to chase a tricky target, England failed to get a move on, thanks to some tight and disciplined bowling by Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur. Although, after a sedate start, Jos Buttler got into his groove as he took the attack to the opposition during his 58-run partnership with Dawid Malan for the second wicket after Yuzvendra Chahal removed Jason Roy cheaply.
Playing the aggressor, Buttler slammed five boundaries and four sixes in his 83 from 52. India’s search for a wicket continued till the 10th over when Dawid Malan was stumped while trying to step out against Washington Sundar. With 76 runs still needed for England to reach the target, Jonny Bairstow joined Buttler as the duo finished the chase with 10 balls to spare.