India secured a 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, clinching the five-match series with one game to spare. The thrilling encounter saw dramatic shifts in momentum, highlighted by a historic triple-wicket maiden and a crucial recovery partnership from India.
England won the toss and elected to field first, making two changes to their playing XI: Saqib Mahmood replaced Mark Wood, and Jacob Bethell came in for Jamie Smith. India also made three changes, bringing in Arshdeep Singh for Mohammed Shami, Rinku Singh for Dhruv Jurel, and Shivam Dube for Washington Sundar, bolstering their batting firepower.
The match began dramatically as Mahmood delivered a sensational triple-wicket maiden in the second over, dismissing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. This remarkable feat marked Mahmood as the first English player to achieve a triple-wicket maiden in T20Is and the first player from any nation to do so against India in the format. The second over is tied for the earliest instance of a triple-wicket maiden in T20I history, matching Jerome Taylor’s feat against South Africa in Gqeberha in 2007.
Despite the early setbacks, India mounted a spirited fightback. Abhishek Sharma (29) and Rinku Singh (30) attempted to counterattack, but India continued to lose wickets, slipping to 79/5. However, Dube (53) and Hardik Pandya (53) forged a vital partnership, both scoring half-centuries and propelling India’s total past 180. Their combined 87 runs represent the second-highest partnership for India and also the second instance of both batters at number 6 or lower scoring 50+ runs in the same innings.
During India’s innings, Dube was struck by a short ball from Jamie Overton and was subsequently replaced by Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute.
England’s chase began strongly with Ben Duckett and Philip Salt putting together a solid opening stand of over 50 runs, the first such partnership against India in 11 T20Is. However, their momentum was disrupted as Duckett (39) fell on the final ball of the powerplay, followed quickly by Salt (23) and Jos Buttler (2), reducing England to 65/3 from 62/1. Concussion substitute Rana made an immediate impact, dismissing Liam Livingstone with his second delivery. Harry Brook (51) kept England’s hopes alive with a rapid 50 off 25 balls but was dismissed soon after. Brydon Carse followed him to the pavilion a couple of deliveries later. While Overton was at the crease, England still had a chance, but Rana bowled a decisive penultimate over to seal the victory for India.
Shivam Dube was awarded the Player of the Match for his crucial 53 runs off 34 balls.
Scorecard:
India: 181/9, Overs 20, Hardik Pandya 53, Saqib Mahmood 3/35
England: 166, Overs 19.4, Harry Brook 51, Ravi Bishnoi 3/28