India secures series victory with a 3-1 lead against England through brilliant spin bowling
India clinched the five-match T20 series with a 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20 International. Harshit Rana, coming in as a concussion substitute, played a key role in sealing the series for India by taking three crucial wickets.
India posted 181-9 in their innings, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube scoring half-centuries. England was bowled out for 166, falling short of the target by 15 runs with two deliveries to spare. This win gave India an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
During the match, Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube suffered a blow to the helmet from a bouncer, prompting Harshit Rana to step in as a concussion substitute. Although the decision was controversial, as concussion substitute rules mandate a “like-for-like” replacement, Rana made a dream debut.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment; this is my dream debut,” Rana said. However, England captain Jos Buttler expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, stating, “It’s not a like-for-like replacement. We don’t agree with this.”
England pacer Saqib Mahmood impressed in his debut, taking three wickets in a maiden over and putting India’s batting lineup under early pressure. However, Indian batters managed to stabilize, with Pandya and Dube forming an 87-run partnership to lead the recovery.
For England, Harry Brook provided some hope with a 25-ball fifty, but Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy turned the match around by taking two key wickets in his final over, dismissing both Brook and Brydon Carse. This tightened India’s grip on the game and secured their victory.
The fifth and final T20 match of the series will take place in Mumbai on Sunday, followed by three one-day internationals between the teams.
