Key Points:
- India Wins by 7 Wickets: The Indian team secured a comfortable victory over England in the first T20 of the five-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Arshdeep’s Record-Breaking Feat: Arshdeep Singh became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals with 97 wickets in 61 matches, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal.
- Abhishek’s Match-Winning Innings: Abhishek Sharma led the chase with an unbeaten, match-winning knock, finishing the game in just 77 balls.
- England’s Batting Collapse: England was bundled out for 132 runs after being put to bat first.
- Kolkata’s Winning Streak Extended: India recorded their 7th consecutive win in T20Is at Eden Gardens, matching records held by England and Pakistan at other venues.
Kolkata: The Indian cricket team started the five-match T20 series against England with a commanding 7-wicket victory in Kolkata. Winning the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers.
England struggled to build momentum and managed a modest total of 132 runs, which India chased down comfortably, securing the win with several overs to spare.
England’s Struggle with the Bat
England’s innings began poorly, with early wickets falling in quick succession. The Indian bowlers exploited the conditions effectively, led by the ever-reliable Arshdeep Singh, who claimed critical wickets to restrict the visitors.
Key Performances:
- Arshdeep Singh: 3 wickets, cementing his place as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals.
- Other bowlers also chipped in, ensuring England couldn’t recover from their shaky start.
Arshdeep’s Record-Breaking Achievement
With his performance, Arshdeep Singh became India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is, surpassing the previous record held by Yuzvendra Chahal.
Most Wickets for India in T20Is:
- 97 – Arshdeep Singh (61 matches)
- 96 – Yuzvendra Chahal (80 matches)
- 90 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (87 matches)
India’s Chase Led by Abhishek Sharma
In the chase, Abhishek Sharma displayed maturity and composure, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten knock that took India across the finish line in just 77 balls. Supported by useful contributions from the top order, Sharma ensured the game never slipped out of India’s control.
India’s Dominance at Eden Gardens
India’s win in Kolkata marks their 7th consecutive T20I victory at the venue, reinforcing Eden Gardens as a stronghold for the team.
Most Consecutive Wins at a Venue in T20Is (Full Member Teams):
- 8 – England (Cardiff, 2010–21)
- 7 – Pakistan (Karachi, 2008–21)
- 7 – India (Kolkata, 2016–25)
India leads the series 1-0, with the second T20 match scheduled in a few days. With Arshdeep Singh in prime form and the batting lineup looking solid, the hosts will aim to build on their momentum. England, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the series.
