England produced a batting masterclass to thrash India by nine wickets in the fourth T20I at the County Ground, Bristol, sealing the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Chasing 159, the hosts cruised home in just 13.5 overs thanks to a sensational unbeaten partnership between captain Harry Brook and opener Phil Salt. The emphatic victory also ended a long wait for England, who won their first bilateral T20I series of two or more matches against India.
Shreyas Iyer’s lone fight saves India
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India once again suffered a famous top-order collapse against England’s relentless pace attack. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 15 after a promising start, while Ishan Kishan (4) and Abhishek Sharma (16) failed to convert their starts as Jofra Archer and company reduced the visitors to 48/3 in the opening seven overs.With the wickets swirling around him, captain Shreyas Iyer stood tall with a superb unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, producing yet another saving act for his side. The right-hander mixed composure with aggression, smashing four boundaries and five sixes while taking a particular liking to veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Iyer hammered 44 runs off just 16 balls against Rashid, recording the third most runs scored by an Indian batsman against a single bowler in a T20I innings, as he guided India to 158/7.England’s bowlers, however, were disciplined throughout. Jofra Archer finished with outstanding figures of 2/20, while Josh Tongue took 2/36.
Brook, Salt fired India
India’s defense of 158 got off to a positive start when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler (8) early, briefly raising hopes of a competitive contest. Those hopes quickly faded.Captain Harry Brook unleashed a breathtaking assault on the Indian attack, showing his full range of stroke play. Constantly drifting across the crease, manipulating the pitch and punishing anything that lands, Brook dismantled India’s bowling with remarkable ease.The England skipper reached a 21-ball half-century before finishing unbeaten on 79 off just 24 deliveries, an innings full of fearless bodies that left India with no answers.At the other end, Phil Salt played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 59 as the pair stitched an unbroken 151-run stand after the first wicket. Their relentless counter-attack ensured that England chased down the target in just 13.5 overs, winning with 37 balls to spare.
The historic series triumphs
England’s comprehensive victory secured their first bilateral T20I series victory over India in a contest with more than two matches. Prior to this series, India had won five of the previous six bilateral T20I series against England, while one had ended level. The defeat also continued India’s recent struggle in the format. It marked the team’s second consecutive bilateral T20I series loss under captain Shreyas Iyer, after the previous defeat in Ireland.The result also ended India’s impressive record in bilateral T20Is, having won 11 of their previous 12 series, with the only exception being a 1-1 series draw in South Africa in December 2023. England will now go into the fifth and final T20I looking to complete a series sweep, while India will be aiming to salvage their pride after being comprehensively trounced in Bristol.
Short scores
India: 158/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 80* off 49, Shivam Dube 22; Jofra Archer 2/20, Josh Tongue 2/36)England: 159/1 in 13.5 overs (Harry Brook 79* off 24, Phil Salt 59*; Arshdeep Singh 1/26)Result: England won by 9 wickets (with 37 balls remaining) and won the five-match T20I series 3-0.