England produced a dominant all-round performance to thrash India by 125 runs at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series with two games remaining.
The hosts’ pace attack dismantled the world champions, bowling India out for just 76 after posting 201-7. Josh Tongue starred with figures of 4-28, while Jofra Archer claimed 3-29 and was named Player of the Match.
India’s batting collapse began early when Abhishek Sharma was caught by Phil Salt at deep point off Tongue for 10. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi briefly counterattacked with 13 from five balls, including two sixes, before gloving Archer to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, who finished with four catches and a stumping.
The visitors’ hopes of recovery quickly disappeared as Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer fell in successive deliveries to catches taken by Jacob Bethell. Archer then had the promoted Axar Patel caught behind with the final ball of the fifth over, leaving India reeling at 52-5 before the innings folded for a disappointing total.
Reflecting on the defeat, Iyer did not hide his disappointment. “I think it was atrocious. I can’t use a better word, honestly. Losing by such a big margin is definitely not acceptable.
“First things first we need to accept this loss and completely go back to the drawing board and see what we did wrong.
“We’ve played awful cricket for sure. But there’s a lot of learnings from it as well. Players have to start thinking basically how to make an impact and create that momentum.
“Every individual has to think by themselves and see how they can win the matches and take that responsibility.”
Earlier, England built a formidable total around an attacking 70 from Phil Salt, who struck three sixes during his 44-ball innings after seeing off a maiden over from Arshdeep Singh. Sam Curran provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 41 from 24 deliveries.
For India, Prince Yadav impressed in only his third T20 international, taking 2-30, including the wicket of Buttler for 36 with a superb inswinging yorker. Harshit Rana also claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Bethell and Tom Banton.
Archer praised his partnership with Tongue after the match, saying, “You’re bowling at world-class batters so you’ve just got to keep hitting the spot. For the most part I’m happy with how it’s coming out.
“I enjoy bowling with Josh. I’ve bowled with him all summer, every game with him since I’ve been back. I really enjoy bouncing ideas off him. He also passes ideas on to me. He was brilliant. We are really similar so if I don’t get wickets he definitely, definitely will.”
The two teams will meet again in Bristol on Thursday for the fourth match of the series.
