Axar Patel creates history with 100th T20I wicket
Indian all-rounder Axar Patel achieved a historic milestone on Saturday, becoming the first spinner from India to reach 100 T20I wickets. He is now the fourth Indian bowler overall to achieve this feat, joining Arshdeep Singh (134), Jasprit Bumrah (121), and Hardik Pandya (114) in the elite club.
The milestone came during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. Axar dismissed the dangerous Harry Brook for a 15-ball 39, breaking a crucial partnership. Brook had threatened to take the game away from India with his aggressive stroke play.
India's innings: Sooryavanshi debut and middle-order collapse
India opted to bat first and handed a historic debut to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest Indian international cricketer at 15 years and 99 days. He managed 14 runs off 10 balls, hitting two sixes before falling.
Abhishek Sharma provided early impetus with a blistering 43 off 24 balls, including eight fours and a six. Shreyas Iyer contributed 37 off 22 balls (three fours, one six), and Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with 49 off 40 balls (six fours). The pair added 65 runs for the third wicket.
However, India suffered a dramatic collapse from 130/2 to 165/6. Tilak Varma's unbeaten 24 off 11 balls (one four, two sixes) helped India reach 190/7 in 20 overs. Sam Curran was England's standout bowler with figures of 3/33.
England's chase: Brook fights back but Bethell seals win
England's chase got off to a nightmare start as openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler both departed for ducks – the first time in T20I history that England lost both openers without scoring. However, captain Harry Brook counterattacked with 39 off 15 balls (four boundaries, three sixes), adding 50 runs with Jacob Bethell.
Bethell then stitched a 67-run partnership with Tom Banton (39 off 32 balls, six fours). After Banton and Will Jacks fell, England were reduced to 133/5 in 15.2 overs. Bethell (76 not out off 46 balls, five fours, five sixes) shifted gears in the slog overs, finishing the chase in 19 overs alongside Jofra Archer (10 not out).
Series situation and what lies ahead
With this win, England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, as the first T20I was washed out. India now have three matches left to turn the series around. The next T20I is scheduled to be played at the same venue.
