England Strikes Back in T20 Series: SKY Points to Axar-Hardik Wickets as Turning Point

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Suryakumar Yadav

Key Highlights:

  1. England Stays Alive: England defeated India by 26 runs in the 3rd T20I in Rajkot, narrowing India’s lead to 2-1 in the five-match series.
  2. Turning Point: Captain Suryakumar Yadav cited the dismissals of Axar Patel (20 off 12) and Hardik Pandya (23 off 12) as the game-changer.
  3. Praise for Adil Rashid: SKY lauded the English spinner for stifling India’s chase with 2-26 and breaking partnerships.
  4. Spin Struggles: India’s trio of spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel combined for 1-88 in 8 overs.
  5. Series Outlook: The 4th T20I shifts to Pune (January 31), with India aiming to seal the series and England fighting to level it.

Rajkot: England kept the T20 series alive with a 26-run victory in the third match at Rajkot, marking India’s first defeat in the five-game contest. After winning the first two games, India faltered in their chase of 182, collapsing from 113/4 to 156/8 in the final overs.

Match Recap:

  • England’s Batting: Phil Salt (45 off 25) and Ben Duckett (48 off 30) powered England to 181/7.
  • India’s Chase: Despite explosive cameos from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, India crumbled after their dismissals, ending at 155/8.
  • Adil Rashid’s Masterclass: The leg-spinner claimed 2/26, including SKY’s wicket, and restricted India’s middle-order momentum.

Suryakumar Yadav Dissects India’s Defeat

At the post-match presentation, captain Suryakumar Yadav pinpointed the pivotal moment:
“The game was in our hands when Hardik and Axar were batting. But Rashid’s spell changed everything. He’s a world-class bowler—he denied us strike rotation and built pressure.”

On Batting Learnings:
“We need to revisit our batting approach. Varun Chakravarthy has shown discipline, and we’ll take lessons from this loss. Shami’s comeback will strengthen us.”

Spin Woes & England’s Fightback

While India’s spinners struggled, England’s Adil Rashid and Reece Topley (3/25) dominated. Rashid’s tight overs in the middle phase stifled SKY (22 off 16) and Ravindra Jadeja (6 off 10), derailing India’s chase.

Stat Alert:

  • Varun Chakravarthy (1/31) and Ravi Bishnoi (0/38) leaked runs, raising questions about India’s spin attack.
  • Jasprit Bumrah (3/32) was India’s standout bowler, dismissing Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali early.

Series Shifts to Pune: India Eyes Redemption

With the series at 2-1, all eyes turn to Pune’s MCA Stadium for the 4th T20I on January 31. India needs a win to clinch the series, while England aims to force a decider in Mumbai (February 2).

Key Players to Watch:

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal: After two low scores, the opener seeks redemption.
  • Jos Buttler: The England captain needs a big knock after three sub-20 scores.

A Thrilling T20 Series Heats Up

The Rajkot thriller proved T20 cricket’s unpredictability. While England’s fightback showcased their depth, India’s middle-order frailty raises questions ahead of Pune. Can SKY’s men bounce back, or will Buttler’s England level the series? The weekend’s clashes promise fireworks!

Next Matches:

  • 4th T20I: Jan 31, Pune | 5th T20I: Feb 2, Mumbai
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