India concluded their T20I series against England in emphatic fashion as opener Abhishek Sharma’s ferocious 135-run knock off 54 balls paved the way for a crushing 150-run victory in the fifth and final match at Wankhede Stadium.
The left-handed batsman’s destructive innings, embellished with 13 sixes, propelled India to a formidable 247-9 after England elected to field first. The home side had already secured the series in the fourth match, but Abhishek’s brilliance ensured a ruthless finishing touch.
Abhishek expressed his delight, stating, "It’s a special one. Playing for the country always brings a great feeling. When I realise it’s my day, I always go for it from the first ball. The coach and captain have backed me from the very beginning, and they have always encouraged this intent."
England’s chase never gained momentum despite Phil Salt’s blistering 55 off 23 balls. The visitors collapsed for a paltry 97 in 10.3 overs, marking India’s second-largest T20 victory by runs.
Shivam Dube, a batting all-rounder from Mumbai who bowls medium pace, dismissed Salt with his very first delivery. Dube had previously been replaced by fast bowler Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute in the fourth match, a move that stirred controversy among the England camp.
Varun Chakravarthy, a wrist spinner, and Dube both claimed two wickets, while pace bowler Mohammed Shami finished with three dismissals, wrapping up England’s innings in under 11 overs. England’s batting lineup crumbled, with only Jacob Bethell, who managed 10 runs, joining Salt in reaching double figures.
Chakravarthy’s stellar performance across the series, which yielded 14 wickets, earned him the Player of the Series accolade.
England suffered early blows as captain Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone departed cheaply, reducing the side to 68-4.
Earlier in the innings, Abhishek formed a commanding 115-run stand for the second wicket with Tilak Varma after the early dismissal of opener Sanju Samson. He reached his half-century in just 17 balls and brought up his century in a mere 37 deliveries. Dube, the next highest scorer for India, contributed 30 runs.
Mark Wood, England’s pace spearhead, removed Hardik Pandya for nine after dismissing Samson earlier. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid eventually sent Abhishek back in the 18th over, sparking a late collapse as India lost four wickets in the last five overs.
Buttler, while acknowledging England’s shortcomings, hailed Abhishek’s brilliance. "I have seen a lot of cricket, and I thought Abhishek’s innings today was one of the best," he said.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse took three wickets, including that of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose lean patch continued with only 28 runs across five matches. "Some of the guys’ bowling performances – even today, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood were outstanding," Buttler remarked, reflecting on England’s few positives.
India had taken a 2-0 lead in the series before England revived their hopes with a win in the third match. However, India secured the series with an unassailable 3-1 advantage in the fourth encounter, where Rana’s inclusion as Dube’s replacement had caused a stir among the England camp.
Both teams are now set to compete in a three-match ODI series, commencing on February 6 in Nagpur. The series serves as a prelude to the 50-over Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
