Bowlers play starring role as England snatch third T20I after Varun Chakravarthy five-wicket haul for India

England had their bowlers to thank after they produced a brilliant display to beat India by 26 runs in the third T20 and keep that series alive. Earlier in the day Varun Chakravarthy took a five-wicket haul but England's bowlers responded in style and did enough. The series is now 2-1 in India's favour with two games left to play in the five-match series, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+

England’s bowlers produced a phenomenal performance in Rajkot to beat India by 26 runs in the third T20 International and keep the series alive, with the hosts leading 2-1 with two games to play.

England started well with the bat, inspired by Ben Duckett’s sparkling 51 from 28 balls at the top of the order. But spin through the middle overs proved to be the tourists’ undoing for the third straight game as they slipped from 83-1 to 127-8 as Varun Chakravarthy bagged 5-24.

However, some late hitting from Liam Livingstone and a patient final-wicket stand helped England up to 171-9 – a total that looked below par on a surface renowned for big scores, but that turned out to be enough.

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Five of India’s top seven reached double figures, with Hardik Pandya top-scoring with 40 from 35 balls, but England’s bowlers put in a superb showing.

Early wickets in the powerplay gave them hope, before Adil Rashid helped stifle India through the middle phase, conceding just 1-15 from his four overs to send the required rate soaring.

All four England pacers took wickets, with Jamie Overton returning the best figures with 3-24 and Jofra Archer looking back to his best with impact up top and at the death.

India’s chase fizzled out, with Hardik finally departing as he looked for a miracle finish, as England wrapped up a 26-run win to keep the series alive.

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Player of the Match – Adil Rashid

England had a number of impressive performers with the ball on the day, with all four of their quicks bowling superbly.

But it was Rashid who turned an evenly balanced game in England’s favour, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs in the middle to strangle the chase. He bagged the crucial wicket of Tilak Varma with the delivery of the match, ripping out his middle stump, and India seemed to have no answer to his variations as the required run rate climbed through the roof.

Ball by ball of a Rashid masterclass as England defeat India in third T20

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Rashid's unbeaten 10 runs in a final-wicket stand of 24 with Mark Wood also played a crucial part in tipping the game England's way.

Talking Point – Bowlers shine in clash of styles

India once again turned to spin to tie England in knots, sending down 13 overs of the slower stuff in the first innings, with five spinners used in all.

It was a good tactic from India and in keeping with their approach throughout the series, and Chakravarthy is proving a real thorn in England’s side, picking up a deserved five-for.

In contrast, England bowled just five overs of spin in their winning effort with the ball. Four of those from Adil Rashid were sensational, but it was notable that England’s pace-heavy strategy also worked on this surface.

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The England coaching staff will feel vindicated in playing to their squad’s strengths as high pace proved effective and their heavy-ball options through the middle overs gave India problems.

All of Archer, Overton, Brydon Carse and Wood bowled well, with all of them taking wickets and going at under 10 an over.

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