Adil Rashid shines as England stay alive in T20i series against India

England secured a crucial 26-run victory over India in the third T20I in Rajkot, keeping the series alive. Adil Rashid led England’s bowling attack with a masterful spell, while Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Jamie Overton shared seven wickets between them. This win also ended India’s ten-match unbeaten streak in home conditions.  

After being put in to bat for the third consecutive match, England posted 171 for 9. Ben Duckett played a key role at the top, scoring his first T20I fifty as an opener. However, the middle order struggled, collapsing against Varun Chakravarthy, who took a brilliant five-wicket haul (5 for 24). A late charge from Liam Livingstone (43 off 24) and a crucial last-wicket partnership between Rashid and Mark Wood helped England reach a competitive total.  

Chasing 172, India lost wickets early. Sanju Samson was dismissed, while Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 14-ball innings ended with a sharp catch by Archer. Tilak Varma, who had been in top form, looked set for another big knock but was bowled by Rashid for 18.  

India struggled to find momentum in the middle overs, managing only two boundaries between the seventh and 15th overs. Hardik Pandya (40 off 35) tried to revive the innings with some late hitting, but once he was caught at long-off by Jos Buttler, India’s hopes faded. Dhruv Jurel, was dismissed in the final over as India finished on 145 for 9.  

England’s bowlers made a strong start, with Archer and Carse taking key wickets in the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav showed glimpses of brilliance but was dismissed by Wood’s fiery 143 kph delivery. Rashid then turned the game in England’s favor by clean-bowling Tilak with a beautiful delivery that ripped through his defense.  

Varun Chakravarthy was the standout bowler for India, taking 5 for 24 and triggering a dramatic England collapse. After dismissing Buttler, he returned in the 14th and 16th overs to take four more wickets, leaving England struggling at 8 for 127 in 16 overs.  

Despite the middle-order collapse, England managed to reach a defendable total, thanks to Rashid and Wood’s late contributions. Their bowlers then executed their plans perfectly to secure a vital win.  

The series now stands at 2-1, with the next game being played on 31st January, Friday, at Pune.