England crushed India by 56 runs in the fifth and final T20I at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, sealing the five-match series 4-0. The opening match was washed out by rain, leaving England to dominate the remaining four contests.
England's batting masterclass
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss on a batting-friendly surface, India got an early breakthrough when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Phil Salt for 6 in the second over. However, that was the only success for the visitors as England's batters took complete control.
Skipper Harry Brook, coming in at No. 3, attacked from the outset and joined forces with Jos Buttler to rebuild the innings. The pair negated India's bowling attack with aggressive stroke play, taking the hosts to 62/1 at the end of the Powerplay. Once the field restrictions eased, Buttler and Brook accelerated further, targeting India's bowlers with relentless boundary-hitting.
The duo took on the spin combination of Axar Patel and Suryansh Shedge, finding gaps with ease and clearing the ropes regularly. England brought up their 100 in the 10th over, which saw Axar concede 25 runs in an over. The pair also brought up the 100-run stand in the same over, with England at 111/1 after 10 overs.
England crossed the 140-run mark in the 13th over. Brook unleashed his onslaught on Shedge, smashing him for 24 runs in the 14th over. Buttler then attacked pacer Prince Yadav, slamming 21 runs in the 15th over. Buttler brought up his century in 51 balls with a six off Axar Patel in the 16th over, which also yielded 20 runs as England stood at 209 after 16 overs.
Shivam Dube provided India with back-to-back breakthroughs in the 19th over, dismissing Buttler and Jacob Bethel on consecutive deliveries. However, it was too late for the visitors as England reached 247/3 in 19 overs. Buttler led the charge with a sensational 131 off 64 balls, smashing 12 fours and eight sixes. Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off just 35 balls, with eight sixes and four boundaries. England finished their 20 overs at 257/3.
India's chase falters
Chasing 258, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings for India. India had a shaky start as Jofra Archer removed Abhishek Sharma in the third over for just 3, bringing World No.1 T20 batter Ishan Kishan to the crease. Samson and Kishan steadied the innings, counterattacking the England bowlers to take the score to 55 after five overs.
In the final over of the powerplay, Sam Curran got the better of Samson for 27 off 14 balls, bringing skipper Shreyas Iyer to the crease. Iyer and Kishan struck boundaries at regular intervals to keep India in the hunt before Liam Dawson removed the Indian skipper for 28 off 16 balls in the 11th over, bringing Tilak Varma to the crease. In the same over, Kishan brought up his hard-fought fifty. Adil Rashid got the prized wicket of Kishan in the 13th over, bringing Shivam Dube to the crease. Kishan slammed a brilliant 56 off 35 balls, laced with seven fours and two sixes.
Dube soon followed Kishan back to the pavilion as Curran claimed his second wicket, dismissing the left-handed batter for 14. Young Suryansh Shedge then walked out to join the chase. India's pursuit went from bad to worse as Tilak Varma, the only batter showing real intent, was dismissed by Josh Tongue in the 18th over. Varma's valiant knock of 53 off just 25 balls featured three fours and four sixes.
England restricted India to 201/8, sealing the match by 56 runs. Sam Curran finished with 3/36, while Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson took one wicket each.
Series summary
With this victory, England sealed a dominant 4-0 series triumph after the opening match was washed out. India's newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer is still waiting for his first win at the helm of the national side, as the world champions were comprehensively outplayed by England.
Brief score: India 201/8 (Ishan Kishan 56, Tilak Varma 53; Sam Curran 3/36) vs England 257/3 (Jos Buttler 131, Harry Brook 95; Shivam Dube 2/22).
