Published By: Sayan Guha

IND vs. ENG T20I: What Happened When England Last Played a T20I Series in India?

Reliving the highs, lows, and nail-biters before the next epic clash

The air is filled with anticipation as India and England prepare to face off in the five-match T20I series. Both teams are heading in with momentum: India, the defending T20 World Cup champions, and England looking to reclaim their supremacy after falling short in the same tournament’s semi-finals.

While India has a balanced team led by the explosive Suryakumar Yadav and returning veteran Mohammad Shami, under Jos Buttler, England is full of determination. Before we get started on this highly anticipated series, let’s take a look back at the last time England visited India for a T20I series in 2021.

Match 1: England’s commanding start

The series opener set the tone for what would be a fast-paced duel. Batting first, India struggled to keep up with Jofra Archer’s speed and accuracy. Archer’s 3/23 held the hosts to a mere 124/7, with Shreyas Iyer’s tenacious 67 the sole bright moment for India. England’s answer was quick and decisive. Jason Roy’s quick-fire 49 and Jos Buttler’s 28 sealed an eight-wicket victory with 27 balls remaining. England had drawn the first blood in style.

Match 2: Kishan’s spark and Kohli’s calm

India recovered in the second game, owing to a stunning debut from Ishan Kishan. The left-hander hammered a 32-ball 56, paving the way for India’s chase of 165. Captain Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 73 to lead India to a seven-wicket victory with 13 balls remaining. The series was level, and the competition was heating up.

Match 3: Buttler blazes away

England recovered the lead in the third match thanks to Jos Buttler’s outstanding performance. Chasing 157, Buttler’s unbroken 83 off 52 balls was a display of absolute domination. Jonny Bairstow scored a fast 40, and England cruised to an eight-wicket victory. Mark Wood’s blistering burst of 3/31 early in the game was also crucial in keeping India’s total under control.

Match 4: Surya shines under pressure

With the series on the line, India needed a spark, which Suryakumar Yadav provided. His 31-ball 57 lit up the evening, helping India register a challenging 185/8. England battled courageously, with Ben Stokes and Jason Roy leading the charge, but Shardul Thakur’s 3/42 and Hardik Pandya’s frugal spell helped India win by eight runs. The scene was prepared for the grand finale.

Match 5: A high-scoring decider

The last match was a run-fest. India’s top order, spearheaded by Rohit Sharma’s 64 and Kohli’s unbeaten 80, propelled the team to an impressive 224/2. England’s reply began well, with Dawid Malan (68) and Buttler (52) keeping them in contention. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s magnificent 2/15 and Shardul Thakur’s crucial wickets helped India win the match by 36 runs and clinch the series 3-2.

Key performers of the series

Top batters

Virat Kohli (IND): 231 runs at an astonishing average of 115.50, including two unbeaten fifties.

Jos Buttler (ENG): 172 runs with a strike rate of 147, anchoring England’s chases.

Dawid Malan (ENG): 148 runs, showcasing his consistency in the middle order.

Top Bowlers

Shardul Thakur (IND): 8 wickets, including crucial breakthroughs in crunch moments.

Jofra Archer (ENG): 7 wickets, spearheading England’s pace attack.

Mark Wood (ENG): 5 wickets, troubling Indian batters with his sheer pace.

The legacy

The 2021 series was an excellent advertisement for T20 cricket, with thrilling chases, standout individual performances, and nail-biting endings. Cricket fans have every cause to be enthusiastic about the upcoming series, which promises to deliver a similar fireworks display. Will history repeat itself, or will England change the script?