India clinches T20 series with 15-run victory over England

India won their five-match T20 series against England courtesy of a 15-run victory in the fourth T20I in Pune on Friday.

With the series sitting at 2-1 in India’s favour ahead heading into the penultimate match, the hosts were heavy favourites across T20 betting sites to prevail.

They lived up to those odds, with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya powering them to a total of 181/9 before the spin of Ravi Bishnoi skittled the English lineup.

India began poorly, however, losing Sanju Samson (1 from 3), Tilak Varma (0 from 1) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (0 from 4) inside the first two overs.

Abhishek Sharma (29 from 19) and Rinku Singh (30 from 26) did well to rebuild for the home side, however, taking India through to 57/3 before Sharma fell.

After Singh’s departure at the midway point of the innings, the match was in the balance with live cricket betting odds giving each side an even chance of success.

Dube and Pandya quickly swung momentum in India’s favour though, putting on 87 runs for the sixth wicket.

By the time the partnership was broken, India had 166 runs on the board, and not even three more quick wickets could stop the world No.1’s from posting a competitive total of 181/9.

In response, England began well, powering 62 runs from the opening six overs.

Openers Phil Salt (23 from 21) and Ben Duckett (39 from 19) both in quick succession, however, with captain Jos Buttler (2 from 3) joining them in the dugout soon after.

Persistent wickets continued for England, and despite a well-made half-century by Harry Brook (51 from 26), the visitors fell 15 runs short, bowled for 166 with two balls remaining.

“Top effort from everyone, and the great crowd from start till the end,” said Suryakumar after the match, before explaining how India dug themselves out of their early hole.

“We didn’t want to go back, boys know what brand of cricket we want to play.

“Three wickets in one over was too much.

“But the positivity, and the way Dube and Pandya showed their experience in the middle was great.

“This is what we have been talking about – expressing yourself and batting the same way as in the nets.

“The way they practice is incredible and they do it in the game.

“I’m happy, I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

England’s Buttler rued his side’s missed opportunities, saying that he believes it was a match they should have won.

“We started brilliantly, taking lots of wicket in the powerplay,” he said.

“At the end of the batting powerplay we were in a great position and I think we should have gone on to win.

“Disappointing, we did some good things.

“I dropped a catch and Dube played a really good innings.

“We were in a fantastic position with the bat, then lost wickets together.

“We’ve doubled down on how we want to play and I’m really impressed with how we did that.

“I think we can commit more and then when we do that we’ll get more out of ourselves.”

England will have an opportunity to prove Buttler’s words correct in just over a day’s time, with the two sides meeting for the final T20I of the series on Sunday evening in Mumbai.

India are once again strong favourites across the top bookmakers to win, paying just $1.53 at Marantelli Bet to extend their series lead to 4-1.

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