India secured a 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Put in to bat first, India posted 181/8 in 20 overs, with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with a 32-ball 56. England, in reply, managed 166/8, falling short despite a fighting 61 from Jos Buttler.
Suryakumar Yadav's Fifty Powers India to 181/8
After being asked to bat, India got off to a steady start with openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan adding 45 runs in 5.5 overs. Rohit was dismissed for 29 off 22 balls, caught by Liam Livingstone off Adil Rashid. Kishan followed soon after for 32 off 27, caught behind off Jofra Archer. Virat Kohli then joined Suryakumar Yadav, and the duo added 57 runs off 40 balls for the third wicket. Kohli made 38 off 28 before being dismissed by Chris Jordan. Suryakumar brought up his half-century off 28 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. He was eventually dismissed for 56 off 32, caught by Sam Billings off Jordan. Hardik Pandya played a quick cameo of 18 off 8 balls to push India past 180. For England, Jordan took 3/29, while Rashid and Archer picked up two wickets each.
England's Chase Falls Short
Chasing 182, England lost Jason Roy early for 12 off 10, caught by Kohli off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler then added 48 runs for the second wicket. Malan made 27 off 25 before being dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal. Buttler continued to fight, bringing up his fifty off 36 balls. He hit six fours and two sixes in his 61 off 44 deliveries. However, wickets kept falling at the other end. Jonny Bairstow made 10 off 9, Ben Stokes 7 off 9, and Liam Livingstone 10 off 7. Buttler was eventually dismissed by Shardul Thakur in the 18th over, caught by Kohli. England needed 41 off the last three overs but managed only 25, finishing at 166/8. For India, Shardul Thakur took 2/29, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Chahal, and Washington Sundar took one wicket each.
Key Performances and Impact
Suryakumar Yadav's 56 was the standout performance with the bat, earning him the Player of the Match award. His innings provided the momentum India needed after a middle-order wobble. Jos Buttler's 61 was a lone bright spot for England, as the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide support. India's bowlers, especially Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, bowled tight lines in the death overs to restrict England.
Series Context and Next Match
With this win, India leads the series 3-1, having won the first, second, and fourth T20Is. England won the third T20I in Ahmedabad. The fifth and final T20I will be played on Saturday, March 20, at the same venue in Pune. India will look to seal the series 4-1, while England will aim to restore some pride.
