England kept their hopes alive in the five-match T20I series with a crucial 26-run victory over India in the third game at Rajkot. After losing the first two matches, the visitors needed a strong response, and they delivered with an all-round performance. England posted a competitive total of 171 and then dominated with the ball to restrict India to 145/9, securing their first win of the series.

A key highlight of England’s bowling effort was Adil Rashid’s exceptional spell. The experienced leg-spinner continued his fine form from the previous game, emerging as the most economical bowler once again. Bowling his full quota of four overs, Rashid conceded only 15 runs while picking up the crucial wicket of Tilak Varma.
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While his figures might not seem extraordinary at first glance, it was the manner of Varma’s dismissal that left cricket fans and experts in awe. Former Indian spinner R Ashwin took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to heap praise on Rashid, acknowledging the Englishman’s skill and control.
🏏 What made Tilak Varma’s dismissal against Adil Rashid so unplayable ❓#Cricket #INDvsENG @ECB_cricket @BCCI pic.twitter.com/4ydJgV7cl8
— Saiprasad Kagne (@KEVLAR2601) January 29, 2025
Absolute seed🔥🔥.
Scrambled seam and serious side spin.
Top bowling Adil Rashid🤝🤝#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/9omCsdmaxU— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 28, 2025
During India’s run chase, England’s pacers ensured that the home side never settled at the crease. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse took two wickets apiece, while Jamie Overton, who had been dismissed for a golden duck earlier in the match, redeemed himself with a three-wicket haul. His spell further dented India’s hopes of a successful chase.
Hardik Pandya was India’s top scorer with 40 off 35 balls, but his innings lacked the fluency required to keep the chase alive. Apart from him, only Abhishek Sharma managed to cross the 20-run mark, highlighting the struggles of the Indian batting unit.
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Earlier in the match, India had something to celebrate when Varun Chakravarthy delivered a sensational spell, picking up his second five-wicket haul in T20Is. His figures of 5/24 kept England in check, preventing them from posting a more daunting total. However, Ravi Bishnoi endured a tough outing, leaking 46 runs in his four overs and failing to provide adequate support to Chakravarthy.
With this win, England has kept the series alive, setting up an exciting contest for the final two matches.