Manchester: England secured a convincing four-wicket victory over India in the second T20 International at Old Trafford, with Ravi Bishnoi’s expensive over proving to be the turning point in the match. The game, played on Saturday, saw a dramatic shift in momentum as England chased down a target of 191 with an over to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The match had generated considerable excitement due to the debut of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became one of the youngest players to represent India in international cricket. However, the occasion was overshadowed by a late-game collapse in India’s bowling, particularly during the 17th over bowled by Bishnoi, who conceded 29 runs, including two no-balls.
Bishnoi’s over turns the game
England’s chase appeared to be under control but still competitive until the 17th over, when Ravi Bishnoi’s lack of discipline shifted the balance firmly in the hosts’ favour. Jacob Bethell, who remained unbeaten on 76 off 46 balls, capitalised on the loose deliveries, smashing three sixes in the over.
The inclusion of two no-balls at the start of the over provided England with extra deliveries, allowing Bethell to accelerate the scoring and bring the required run rate well within reach. This decisive over effectively sealed India’s fate, as England completed the chase comfortably with six wickets down.
Early setbacks and strong recovery
England’s innings began on a shaky note with both Phil Salt and Jos Buttler dismissed early by Arshdeep Singh. However, captain Harry Brook launched a fierce counter-attack, scoring 39 runs off just 15 balls. His aggressive approach included three sixes and two boundaries, which put the Indian bowling unit under pressure.
Brook’s dismissal, courtesy of Axar Patel, did little to halt England’s progress, as Bethell found support in Tom Banton. The pair added a crucial 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket, stabilising the innings and ensuring England remained on track.
While Axar Patel delivered an economical spell, India’s other spinners, including Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy, struggled to adapt to the conditions. Their flatter trajectory and quicker pace made it easier for England’s batters to execute their shots on a skiddy surface.
India post competitive total
Earlier in the day, India posted a total of 190 for 7 after being put in to bat. The innings was anchored by contributions from multiple batters, although none managed to dominate consistently.
Tilak Varma provided a late boost with an unbeaten 24 off 11 balls, scoring 17 runs in the final over bowled by Jofra Archer. His late flourish helped India reach what appeared to be a competitive, though slightly below-par, total on the Manchester pitch.
Ishan Kishan top-scored with 49 off 43 balls, while Abhishek Sharma contributed 43 off 24 balls. Captain Shreyas Iyer added 37 runs, but the middle-order struggled to maintain momentum during the crucial overs.
Sooryavanshi’s debut draws attention
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut was one of the major talking points of the match. The 15-year-old showed glimpses of promise, scoring 14 runs off 10 balls, including two sixes. However, he struggled against spin and was eventually stumped off Will Jacks.
Despite the brief innings, Sooryavanshi’s presence marked a significant milestone, as he broke a long-standing record for being among the youngest Indian cricketers to debut at the international level.
England bowlers execute plans well
England’s bowling attack delivered a disciplined performance, particularly during the middle overs. Sam Curran emerged as the standout bowler, picking up three wickets for 33 runs. His variations in pace and clever use of slower deliveries made scoring difficult for Indian batters.
Jofra Archer utilised pace and bounce effectively, while Will Jacks and Liam Dawson kept things tight with spin. Adil Rashid also maintained control, ensuring that India could not accelerate freely during the middle phase of their innings.
Conclusion
The match ultimately highlighted the importance of execution in crucial moments. While India showed promise with both bat and ball in patches, lapses in discipline, especially during Bishnoi’s over, proved costly.
For England, the victory demonstrated resilience and effective game management, particularly through Bethell’s composed innings and the team’s ability to capitalise on key opportunities. As the series progresses, India will need to address their bowling inconsistencies to bounce back, while England will look to build on this momentum.