India’s No. 3 batter, Tilak Varma, delivered a match-winning performance reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s finishing heroics, guiding India to a nail-biting two-wicket victory over England. Varma’s 72 off 55 balls, combined with strategic strike-farming in the death overs, helped India chase down 166 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
England showed grit with both bat and ball, keeping the match alive until the final over. Their innings started aggressively despite early wickets, with Jos Buttler’s 45 off 30 providing stability. Debutant Jamie Smith showcased promise with some bold shots, while Brydon Carse added a quickfire 31 off 17, including three sixes. However, India’s spinners, led by Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel, stifled the middle order, restricting England to 165.
India’s chase began with aggression, but England’s pace duo, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, rattled the Indian lineup. Wood’s sharp seam movement and Carse’s hard lengths triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving India struggling at 78 for 5.
Tilak Varma held his nerve despite wickets tumbling around him. His back-to-back boundaries off Archer’s fiery pace in the 16th over turned the tide in India’s favor. Adil Rashid created pressure in the middle overs but dropped a crucial catch that allowed India to regain momentum.
England continued to fight back, with Carse and Liam Livingstone taking key wickets late in the game. However, Varma’s composed finishing and a decisive cover drive in the final over sealed the win for India with four balls to spare.
Tilak’s knock, marked by adaptability and resilience, stood out in a high-pressure game that tested both sides’ skills and determination.
Updated on 27th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.