Abhishek Sharma smashed a blistering 34-ball-79 in an exhibition of breathtaking power-hitting on the back of a disciplined bowling effort, as India outplayed England by seven wickets in the primary T20I in Kolkata on Wednesday. India now lead the five-match series 1-0. On a day when Gautam Gambhir’s coaching set-up made headlines by delaying Mohammed Shami’s much-anticipated return to international cricket, India bundled out England for a paltry 132 at Eden Gardens, where the typical first-innings rating is around 195.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was at his devastating best, returning figures of three/23, ably supporting left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh’s record-breaking spell of two/17.
Arshdeep not only rattled England together with his precision but additionally etched his name within the record books, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal (96 wickets) to turn into India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 97 scalps.
But Abhishek’s clean hitting, including five fours and eight sixes, in a 20-ball half-century, took the sport away from England as India cruised to the goal in commanding fashion with 43 balls to spare.
He shared a 3rd wicket partnership with Tilak Verma (19 not out) who showed high-quality maturity within the partnership of 84 that got here at a strike rate of 200.
Abhishek showcased his full range of shots, flicking one over high-quality leg harking back to Yuvraj Singh, backing away to uppercut one other for six over third man, and ending the over with a straight-driven boundary.
The 18-run over eased the pressure on India and shifted the sport decisively.
India’s strategy against Archer’s final over was cautious, as Abhishek and Tilak Varma played him out with maturity.
Abhishek was handed a lifeline on 29 when Adil Rashid spilled a pointy return catch.
Capitalising on the reprieve, the Indian opener unleashed his power, taking up Rashid with disdain.
He smashed the leg-spinner for a boundary and two towering sixes in consecutive deliveries, putting India firmly on top of things.
Abhishek brought up his half-century in spectacular fashion, hooking a 140.7 kph short ball from Jamie Overton over high-quality leg with supreme confidence.
By the halfway mark, India had surged to 100/2, turning the goal right into a mere formality.
Gambhir’s decision was vindicated because perfect execution of plans by his spin troika of who snared 5 for 67 in 12 overs bowled between them.
Despite the dewy conditions, India went in with three spinners — Ravi Bishnoi (0/23 in 4 overs), Axar Patel (2/22 in 4 overs), and Chakravarthy — backing record-breaker Arshdeep Singh’s fiery opening spell.
The left-arm quick set the tone by dismissing each openers, Phil Salt (0) and Ben Duckett (4), in successive overs en path to his 2/17 from 4 overs.
His first spell of 3-0-10-2 also saw him surpass Chahal’s tally.
Stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav managed his bowlers astutely, ensuring timely changes and capitalising on their momentum after winning the toss. The pitch offered some grip, and the dew had minimal impact.
England’s struggles were compounded as they did not construct partnerships, with only skipper Jos Buttler holding the innings together.
Buttler (68 from 44 balls) played a composed knock, reaching his fifty off 34 balls, mixing power and precision to maintain England afloat amidst the wreckage.
Chakravarthy turned the sport decisively in India’s favour post-powerplay finding his mojo back at his IPL home venue.
Returning to his IPL home ground, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner dismissed Harry Brook (17) and Liam Livingstone (0) in quick succession before eventually sending Buttler back, breaking England’s resistance.
Ravi Bishnoi complemented the attack beautifully with a decent spell of 0/22 from his 4 overs, while Axar Patel recovered from a shaky start to complete with 2/22, including a maiden.
The spinners dominated the center overs, conceding just 25 runs and picking up two crucial wickets between overs 10 and 15. The English batters weren’t in a position to pick the wrist spinners from their hands.
England’s misery was compounded by some reckless shot selection.
Teenager Jacob Bethell (7) escaped a detailed stumping likelihood off Chakravarthy but couldn’t capitalise, mistiming a pull to deep midwicket to turn into Hardik Pandya’s first victim.
Pandya was initially expensive smashed for 18 runs where Buttler smashed him for 4 boundaries but he was cleverly rotated by Suryakumar as he bowled tidily at death and finished with 2/42.
England were eventually bowled out in the ultimate delivery when Mark Wood was run out for 1.
Despite the early counterattack from Brook and Buttler, England never truly recovered from Chakravarthy’s twin strikes.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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