In an electrifying fourth T20 International at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India clinched a series victory against England, winning by 15 runs. The match, filled with twists and turns, saw India take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, a testament to their resilience and strategic gameplay.
England started their chase with intent, with Ben Duckett and Phil Salt providing a brisk start, amassing 62 runs in the powerplay. But the momentum shifted with the introduction of India’s spinners. Ravi Bishnoi, the standout performer with the ball, alongside Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana, disrupted England’s batting line-up. Despite a fighting knock from Harry Brook, who scored 51, England couldn’t maintain the required run rate and fell short, ending at 166 all out in 19.4 overs. The spinners, particularly Bishnoi with figures of 3/28, were instrumental in this victory.
The pitch at Pune did not favor spinners as much as expected, but India’s spinners adapted brilliantly, leveraging the conditions to their advantage. The weather was clear, with temperatures dropping in the evening, which could have been a factor in the dew affecting the ball’s behavior during the chase.