On Friday, England registered a thrashing win by 8 wickets over India in the first T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing a modest target of 125, the visiting team went over the line in the 16th over. Jason Roy top-scored for the visitors, scoring 49 runs at the top to lay the foundation for an easy chase. With only 124 runs to defend, India needed early wickets to stand to get back into the game.
However, Jason Roy and Jos Buttler left the Indian team in complete despair. The duo came out all guns blazing and added 72 runs for the first wicket to seal England’s win. Yuzvendra Chahal gave India the first breakthrough when he dismissed Buttler for 28. 17 runs later, Washington Sundar dismissed Jason Roy for 49 on his first delivery before Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow took England home in the 16th over. Malan finished the proceedings in style by smashing Sundar for a six.
WATCH – KL Rahul Saves A Six With An Unbelievable Effort At The Boundary
Earlier in the match, Team India came up with a poor batting display as the visitors had decided to bowl first. The Men in Blue could only manage 124 for 7 in the allotted 20 overs. Eoin Morgan’s decision to bowl first was justified by his bowlers as it difficult for the Indian top-order to survive. KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan could not even touch the double-digit mark as India found themselves 3 down for just 20 in 5 overs.
Jofra Archer drew the first blood for England as he dismissed Rahul for 1 before Adil Rashid accounted for Kohli. The India skipper was out for a 5-ball duck. Dhawan failed to convert his start and was castled for just 4 by Mark Wood. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant stopped the rot for a while but could not rescue the team as the latter departed for just 21, which left the hosts reeling at 48 for 4.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant Played A Reverse Scoop Against Jofra Archer For A Six
Iyer and Hardik Pandya then took the score to the three-figure mark but could not accelerate the run-rate. India eventually ended their innings on a modest total of 124 for 7. Iyer was the highest run-getter for the hosts, scoring 67 off 48 balls with the help of 8 fours and six. For England, Archer was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 23 off his four overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
Not all teams are lucky enough to play four overseas players Michael😏 #INDvENG https://t.co/sTmGJLrNFt
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 12, 2021
Good to see Herd Immunity Phase 3 trials going on at the stadium in Ahmedabad. #INDvENG
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 12, 2021
Kohli doesn't even have the best Duck of this match. Shardul Thakur clear winner. #INDvENG
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 12, 2021
World Number 1 T20 team starts with a win – beat India by 8 wickets and take 1-0 lead in the five match T20 series – chase down 125 runs from 15.3 overs – Terrific all round performance from England.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 12, 2021
Successfully lost the first game of the series.
Now the trophy is ours.
Let's go, boys! 💪🏻#INDvENG— Manya (@CSKian716) March 12, 2021
Brilliant England! 🏴 Great team performance.
Hard to look past this as the highlight of the day tho… @Eoin16 @josbuttler 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QshTeHeHR4— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) March 12, 2021
Superb win, @englandcricket. Dominated from start to finish.
👏👏👏#INDvENG— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 12, 2021
