Bangalore: England suffered a dramatic meltdown as they lost eight wickets for eight runs to lose the third and series-deciding T20 international against India by 75 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here Wednesday. After India had put up 202 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs, England were bowled out for 127, courtesy a dream spell by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (6/25).
England were cruising along at 119 for two, but then Chahal struck twice in his third over and thrice in his fourth to achieve the best ever figures by an Indian bowler in a T20 international. In between his devastating spell, Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) also delivered the coup de grace to complete the England rout. Chahal’s spell, helped India skipper Virat Kohli record a clean sweep against England with the hosts winning the Test series 4-0 and the ODI series 2-1.
Chahal’s performance was the first-ever five-wicket haul in T20 International by an Indian and the third best figures by any bowler with the first two slots belonging to Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis.
Earlier, India after being put in rode on the batting of former Chennai Super Kings pair of Suresh Raina (63, 45b, 2×4, 5×6) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (56, 35b, 5×4, 2×6) to post a formidable total. The Indian innings received a huge boost as Yuvraj Singh came to the party with a 10-ball 27 (1×4, 3×6).
A competent national level chess player during his school days, Chahal wouldn’t have even in his dreams of such a day as England capitulated against him. In his opening spell he had got rid of Sam Billings. However, Joe Root (42, 37b, 4×4, 2×6) and Eoin Morgan (40, 21b, 2×4, 3×6) had raised visions of a series win with 64-run stand for the third wicket.
But then Chahal removed Morgan and Root off successive deliveries. Morgan attempted a slog sweep and was smartly caught by debutant Rishabh Pant in the deep. Root, who had crossed over, was out next ball caught plumb in front as he failed to read the faster ‘flipper’. It was suddenly 119 for four.
Jos Buttler’s wild slog was pouched by Kohli in the next over off Bumrah. It became worse when Chahal came for his final and the 16th over of the innings. Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan all fell to him with the run-rate was climbing steeply.
Bumrah finished the formality in the very next overby dismissing Liam Plunkett and Tymal Mills – both failing to open their accounts.
Earlier, it was vintage Raina at his best. He was involved in two crucial partnerships – the first with KL Rahul (22, 18b, 2×4, 1×6) after India had lost Kohli cheaply. The two put 63 runs for the second wicket and after Rahul’s dismissal, Raina and Dhoni put on 55 runs for the third wicket in just 37 balls to set the platform for Yuvraj to take apart the England attack.
Reuters