Abhishek Sharma smashed a 34-ball 79 in a display of stunning power hitting on the back of a disciplined bowling effort, as India edged England by seven wickets in the first T20I in Kolkata on Wednesday. India now leads the five-match series 1-0. On a day when Gautam Gambhir’s coaching set-up made headlines by delaying Mohammed Shami’s long-awaited return to international cricket, India bowled out England for 132 at Eden Gardens, where the average first innings score stands at around 195.
Enigmatic spinner Varun Chakravarthy was at his devastating best, returning figures of 3/23, brilliantly supporting Arshdeep Singh’s record-breaking quick spell of 2/17 with his left-arm spinner.
Arshdeep not only shook England with his accuracy, but also etched his name in the record books, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal (96 wickets) to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 97 scalps.
But Abhishek’s clean knocks, including five fours and eight sixes, in a half-century off 20 balls, took the game away from England as India cruised to the goal in dominating style with 43 balls to spare.
He shared the third wicket partnership with Tilak Verma (19 not out) who showed good maturity in a partnership of 84 which came at a strike rate of 200.
Abhishek showed off his full range of shots, sweeping one over fine leg reminiscent of Yuvraj Singh, stepping back to hit another six over third man, and finishing the shot with a straight boundary.
The 18th over eased the pressure on India and changed the course of the match decisively.
India’s strategy against Archer in the final was cautious, with Abhishek and Tilak Varma playing him maturely.
Abhishek got a lifeline on 29 when Adil Rashid hit a sharp catch.
Taking advantage of the postponement, the Indian unleashed his power, confronting Rashid with disdain.
He smashed the spinner for a boundary and two towering sixes in successive deliveries, putting India firmly in control.
Abhishek demonstrated his half-century in stunning fashion, fielding a short ball at 140.7kph off Jimmy Overton with supreme confidence.
By the midway point, India had risen to 100/2, turning the target into a mere formality.
Gambhir’s decision was vindicated due to the perfect execution of plans by the troika who took 5 for 67 in 12 overs between them.
Despite the soggy conditions, India fielded three players – Ravi Bishnoi (0/23 in 4 overs), Axar Patel (2/22 in 4 overs) and Chakravarthy – backing Arshdeep Singh’s fiery, record-breaking opening spell.
The left-arm quick set the tone by dismissing both openers, Phil Salt (0) and Ben Duquette (4), in successive overs on his way to 2/17 from four overs.
His first spell of 3-0-10-2 also saw him surpass Chahal’s tally.
Stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav smartly managed the bowlers, ensuring timely changes and capitalizing on their momentum after winning the toss. The pitch provided some grip, and the dew had little effect.
England’s woes were compounded when they failed to build partnerships, with only skipper Jos Buttler holding the innings together.
Buttler (68 off 44 balls) played a composed knock, reaching his fifty off 34 balls, mixing power and accuracy to keep England afloat amid the wreckage.
Chakravarthy decisively turned the game in India’s favor after the Powerplay to find his mojo once again at his home venue in the IPL.
Back home in the Indian Super League, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Harry Brook (17) dismissed Liam Livingstone (0) in quick succession before eventually bringing Buttler back, breaking England’s resistance.
Ravi Bishnoi completed the attack beautifully with a tight spell of 0/22 from four overs, while Axar Patel recovered from a shaky start to finish with 2/22, including the first over.
The spinners dominated the middle overs, conceding just 25 runs and picking up two crucial wickets between the 10th and 15th overs. The English batsmen were unable to pick the wrist spinners off their hands.
England’s misery was compounded by some reckless shot selection.
Youngster Jacob Bethell (7) evaded a close-range chance from Chakravarthy but was unable to capitalize, mistimed the pull to deep midwicket to become Hardik Pandya’s first victim.
Pandya was initially smashed expensively for 18 runs as Buttler smashed him for four boundaries but was rotated smartly by Suryakumar while bowling tidily at the death and finished with 2/42.
England were eventually bowled out on the final delivery when Mark Wood was run out for 1.
Despite an early counter-attack from Brook and Buttler, England never recovered from Chakravarthy’s double overs.
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