England’s new era in white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum got off to a disappointing start with a heavy defeat to world champions India in the first T20 in Kolkata, as familiar struggles against spin resurfaced.
After Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt for a three-ball duck and Ben Duckett in his first two overs, England’s middle order collapsed against India’s spinners, leaving them bowled out for just 132.
Captain Jos Buttler fought a lone battle, scoring 68 off 44 balls, while Harry Brook was the next highest scorer with 17. Brook was dismissed by the excellent Varun Chakravarthy in the eighth over, who then sent Liam Livingstone back for a duck two balls later as England’s innings stalled and wickets continued to fall.
Jacob Bethell struggled for seven off 14 balls, Jamie Overton managed only two at number seven, and Gus Atkinson was dismissed by Axar Patel for just two off 12 balls.
Chakravarthy returned to dismiss Buttler in the 17th over, ending England’s hopes of a strong finish as he claimed 3-23.
Jofra Archer impressed with 2-21 during India’s chase, but the hosts cruised to a seven-wicket victory with 43 balls to spare, marking England’s heaviest T20 defeat in terms of deliveries remaining.
Atkinson was costly, conceding 23 runs in the second over, and Abhishek Sharma smashed 79 off 34 balls, easing the pressure on India.
The second T20 in the five-match series takes place on Saturday in Chennai at 13:30 GMT.
England’s new era in white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum got off to a disappointing start with a heavy defeat to world champions India in the first T20 in Kolkata, as familiar struggles against spin resurfaced.
After Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt for a three-ball duck and Ben Duckett in his first two overs, England’s middle order collapsed against India’s spinners, leaving them bowled out for just 132.
Captain Jos Buttler fought a lone battle, scoring 68 off 44 balls, while Harry Brook was the next highest scorer with 17. Brook was dismissed by the excellent Varun Chakravarthy in the eighth over, who then sent Liam Livingstone back for a duck two balls later as England’s innings stalled and wickets continued to fall.
Jacob Bethell struggled for seven off 14 balls, Jamie Overton managed only two at number seven, and Gus Atkinson was dismissed by Axar Patel for just two off 12 balls.
Chakravarthy returned to dismiss Buttler in the 17th over, ending England’s hopes of a strong finish as he claimed 3-23.
Jofra Archer impressed with 2-21 during India’s chase, but the hosts cruised to a seven-wicket victory with 43 balls to spare, marking England’s heaviest T20 defeat in terms of deliveries remaining.
Atkinson was costly, conceding 23 runs in the second over, and Abhishek Sharma smashed 79 off 34 balls, easing the pressure on India.
The second T20 in the five-match series takes place on Saturday in Chennai at 13:30 GMT.
