England rout India by 125 runs to inflict visitors’ heaviest T20I defeat

LONDON: England’s pace attack powered the hosts to a crushing 125-run win over India at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, handing the tourists their biggest defeat by runs in T20 internationals.

After England made 201-7, India were dismissed for 76 inside 12 overs. The margin surpassed India’s previous worst defeat in the format, an 80-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington in 2019. The result also gave England a 2-0 lead in the series with two matches left after the opening game was washed out.

Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue set the tone with the new ball, both exceeding 90 mph on the speed gun as India’s top order fell away quickly. Tongue returned career-best figures of 4-28, while Archer took 3-29.

Archer first tested 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with a 90 mph bouncer, only for the teenager to send the next ball for six over gully. Tongue also saw two of his first three deliveries hit for six, but England soon took control.

Abhishek Sharma was caught at deep point, Sooryavanshi gloved a catch behind while attempting to attack another short ball from Archer, and Ishan Kishan pulled flat to Jacob Bethell. Archer then removed Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, leaving India in deep trouble at 52-5 after five overs.

Tilak Varma was stumped off Will Jacks before Tongue struck again on his Nottinghamshire home ground, dismissing Shivam Dube and then Harshit Rana with assistance from Tom Banton’s diving catch at backward point. Adil Rashid claimed two late wickets as India finished only two runs above their lowest T20 total of 74.

Salt leads England’s innings

Earlier, England were lifted by Phil Salt’s 70 after Jos Buttler had provided early momentum with 36. Buttler was eventually bowled by an inswinging yorker from Prince Yadav.

Salt began carefully before accelerating against Varun Chakravarthy, striking a long-hop for six and then adding three successive boundaries in the same over. Harshit Rana checked England briefly by removing Bethell, who had starred at Old Trafford, and Banton with successive deliveries in the 12th over.

Salt nevertheless reached his half-century from 36 balls and added two more sixes before slicing Axar Patel to backward point. Sam Curran then finished unbeaten on 41 to push England beyond 200.

India had opted to bowl first after winning the toss. England can wrap up the series with another victory in the fourth T20 at Bristol on Thursday.