SOUTHAMPTON: World champions India suffered their second successive T20I series whitewash after England completed a dominant 4-0 series win with a 56-run victory in the fifth and final match.
The opening game was abandoned due to rain, while England won each of the remaining four matches. India captain Shreyas Iyer is still waiting for his first victory since taking charge of the team.
Chasing a daunting target of 258, India finished on 201/8 in 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed early for 3 off 5 balls. Returning to the playing XI, Malayali wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson showed promising form before falling to Sam Curran. Samson scored 27 off 14 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. Ishan Kishan was India’s top scorer with 56 off 35 balls, while Tilak Varma struck a quick 53 off 25 balls. However, their efforts were not enough to prevent another defeat.
Captain Shreyas Iyer made 28 off 16 balls, while Shivam Dube scored 14 off 10, Suryansh Shedge 7 off 6, and Axar Patel 3 off 4. Arshdeep Singh remained unbeaten on 4 off 5, while Prasidh Krishna finished 1 not out off 1 ball.
For England, Sam Curran starred with the ball, claiming three wickets. Adil Rashid picked up two wickets, while Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson took one wicket each.
Earlier, England piled up a massive 257/3 in 20 overs after being asked to bat. Former captain Jos Buttler smashed 131 off 64 balls, while captain Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off 45 balls. Philip Salt scored 6 off 9, Jacob Bethell was dismissed for 0, and Will Jacks finished unbeaten on 7 off 2 balls.