India Thrashes England by 7 Wickets in 1st T20I at Eden Gardens
India won against England in the 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, securing a resounding 7-wicket win. Powered by Abhishek Sharma's explosive 79 off 34 balls and a stellar bowling performance by Varun Chakravarthy, India takes a 1-0 lead in the series.
kowshik Reddy
In a commanding display at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on January 22, 2025, India secured a seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20 International of the series.
England's Innings:
Opting to bat first, England faced early setbacks due to India's disciplined bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh struck in his initial overs, dismissing Philip Salt and Ben Duckett, leaving England at 2 for 17. Captain Jos Buttler anchored the innings with a resilient 68 off 44 balls, but lacked substantial support from his teammates. Varun Chakravarthy's spin proved effective, claiming 3 for 23, and with contributions from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, England was restricted to 132 all out in 20 overs.
India's Response:
Chasing 133, India showcased aggressive intent from the outset. Opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a scintillating performance, scoring 79 runs off just 34 balls, featuring eight sixes and five fours. His rapid half-century came in 20 balls, nearly matching Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest T20I fifty against England.
Despite Jofra Archer's efforts, who took 2 for 21, India comfortably reached the target in 12.5 overs, finishing at 133 for 3.
Key Performances:
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Abhishek Sharma: Awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 79 off 34 balls, setting the tone for India's chase.
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Varun Chakravarthy: Instrumental with the ball, taking 3 for 23, dismantling England's middle order.
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Jos Buttler: Top-scored for England with 68 runs, providing a lone resistance against India's bowlers.
This victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second T20I is scheduled for January 25, 2025, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
