IND vs ENG 3rd T20I: Indian batting falters in Rajkot as England secure first win to keep series alive

IND vs ENG 3rd T20:England triumphed in the third T20I of the India vs England series, defeating India by 26 runs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. With this victory, England avoided a whitewash and kept the five-match series alive at 2-1.

Batting first, England posted a competitive 171/9 in their 20 overs. Liam Livingstone emerged as the standout performer, hammering a fiery 43 off 24 balls. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, England capitalised on the depth of their batting, with useful contributions from Jos Buttler (29) and Phil Salt (27). India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami (3/24), managed to restrict the English batters in the death overs, but the target still seemed challenging on a slowing pitch.

India vs England 3rd T20 match report — India's Tilak Varma is bowled out by England's Adil Rashid during the third T20. (Photo: PTI)

India's chase started on the wrong foot, with early dismissals of Sanju Samson (3) and Abhishek Sharma (24). Suryakumar Yadav injected some energy with a brisk 14, including a signature scoop for six, but his stay was short-lived. Tilak Varma, in sublime form this series, looked set before falling for 18.

The pressure mounted as England's bowlers tightened the screws during the middle overs. Jamie Overton (3/28) and Jofra Archer (2/22) were lethal, dismantling the Indian batting lineup with precision. Hardik Pandya (40 off 35) fought valiantly, hitting crucial boundaries late in the innings, but his efforts were not enough to bridge the widening gap. India eventually stumbled to 145/9 in their 20 overs.

The game was a stark contrast to the dominance India displayed in the first two T20Is. England's disciplined bowling and sharp fielding were decisive, while India's middle-order collapse cost them dearly. Overton's double strikes, dismissing Pandya and Mohammed Shami in quick succession, proved the final nail in India's coffin.

This win injects new life into the series, with England showing they are not willing to go down without a fight. India will look to regroup and address their batting woes before the fourth T20I, where they have the chance to seal the series.