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England clinch 3-0
England sealed their first-ever T20 series victory over India as they chased 159 in the fourth T20 at Bristol, winning by nine wickets with 13.5 overs gone.
“England sealed their first-ever T20 series victory over India”
Phil Salt and captain Harry Brook put on an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 144, with Brook scoring 79 off 35 deliveries and Salt making 59 not out off 42.
India were restricted to 158-7 in 20 overs, with Shreyas Iyer top-scoring with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls after India were reduced to 48-3.
The series now stands at 3-0 for England after the opening fixture at Chester-le-Street was washed out, and the series concludes at Southampton on Saturday (14:30 BST).
Brook and Iyer react
After England’s nine-wicket win, Sky Sports quoted Harry Brook saying, "That was good fun tonight." and also adding, "It is always good to beat India as they are a strong side and have been for many years."
Sky Sports also carried Shreyas Iyer’s response, with the India captain telling reporters, "It was another disappointing performance - 158 wasn't the perfect total on the board".
The BBC described the pressure on Iyer as India suffered a record fifth straight defeat in completed 20-over matches, leaving his side thoroughly outplayed in the next three games after the first fixture was called off.
The Guardian framed the chase as a continuation of England’s dominance, saying Brook’s 79 off 35 made India look "hopelessly flawed" as England won the match and the series.
What’s at stake next
With the fifth and final T20I scheduled for Southampton on Saturday, England’s series-clinching victory leaves them with an unassailable 3-0 lead and the chance to finish the tour with a sweep.
“a fourth successive victory would see Brook's team leapfrog the reigning T20 World Cup champions to become the world No 1 side”
Sky Sports said a fourth successive victory in Southampton would see Brook’s team leapfrog the reigning T20 World Cup champions to become the world No 1 side.
The BBC reported that the series concludes at Southampton on Saturday (14:30 BST), where India will look to avoid going winless for the first time in a five-match 20-over series.
In the background of the on-field stakes, the BBC noted that Shreyas Iyer had taken over the India T20 captaincy in early June, replacing the dropped Suryakumar Yadav, and now faces scrutiny from India’s press and public at the end of the series.