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 romped 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-ever bilateral T20I series of two or more matches against India.
Shreyas Iyer’s lone fight rescues India
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India once again endured a familiar 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 inside the opening seven overs.With wickets tumbling around him, captain Shreyas Iyer stood tall with a superb unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, producing yet another rescue 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, registering the third-most runs scored by an Indian batter against a single bowler in a T20I innings, as he guided India to 158/7.England’s bowlers, however, remained disciplined throughout. Jofra Archer finished with outstanding figures of 2/20, while Josh Tongue chipped in with 2/36.
Brook, Salt blow India away
India’s defence of 158 began positively when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler (8) early, briefly raising hopes of a competitive contest. Those hopes were quickly extinguished.Captain Harry Brook unleashed a breathtaking assault on the Indian attack, showcasing his full range of strokeplay. Constantly shuffling across the crease, manipulating the field and punishing anything loose, Brook dismantled India’s bowling with remarkable ease.The England skipper raced to a 21-ball half-century before finishing unbeaten on 79 off just 24 deliveries, an innings packed with fearless stroke-making 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 together an unbroken 151-run stand after the early wicket. Their relentless counterattack ensured England chased down the target in only 13.5 overs, winning with 37 balls to spare.
Historic series triumph
England’s comprehensive victory secured their first bilateral T20I series win over India in a contest featuring more than two matches. Before 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 struggles in the format. It marked the team’s second successive bilateral T20I series loss under captain Shreyas Iyer, following the earlier 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 drawn series in South Africa in December 2023. England will now head into the fifth and final T20I looking to complete a series sweep, while India will aim to salvage pride after being comprehensively outplayed in Bristol.
Brief 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 clinched the five-match T20I series 3-0.
