India kicked off the five-match T20I series against England with a thumping seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, not only taking a 1-0 lead in the series but also equaling a significant T20I record held by Pakistan.

Match Recap

• England: 132 all out in 19.5 overs
• India: 133/3 in 12.5 overs

Led by Abhishek Sharma’s scintillating knock of 79 off 34 balls, India chased down a modest target of 133 with ease, keeping their winning streak at Eden Gardens intact.

Record Milestone

India’s latest victory marked their seventh consecutive T20I win at Eden Gardens, equaling Pakistan’s record of seven successive wins at the National Stadium in Karachi (2008–2021). India’s streak at Eden Gardens began during the 2016 T20 World Cup with a memorable win over Pakistan and has continued for nine years. Key Streak Comparisons:

• India (Eden Gardens): 7 wins (2016–present)
• Pakistan (Karachi): 7 wins (2008–2021)
• Record Holder: England with 8 consecutive wins in Cardiff (2010–2021).

Match Highlights

India’s Batting:

• Abhishek Sharma: 79 (34 balls), 8 sixes, 5 fours
• Tilak Varma: 13* (7 balls)
• Hardik Pandya: 9* (6 balls)

Abhishek Sharma’s fearless stroke play completely neutralized the England bowlers on a tricky two-paced surface. His explosive innings allowed India to finish the chase in just 12.5 overs, showcasing their dominance.

India’s Bowling:

• Varun Chakravarthy: 3/23 (4 overs)
• Arshdeep Singh: 2/17 (4 overs)

Arshdeep Singh provided the perfect start by removing England openers early, while Varun Chakravarthy dismantled the middle order with his spin. Together, they ensured England couldn’t build any momentum, restricting them to a below-par total.

Captaincy and Team Strategy

• Captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to field first.
• India went with just one specialist pacer, Arshdeep Singh, relying heavily on their spinners, which proved to be the right call.
• Mohammed Shami, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, and Dhruv Jurel were rested.

What’s Next?

India now leads the series 1-0 and will aim to build on this momentum in the second T20I on January 24, 2025, in Ahmedabad. With Abhishek Sharma and the bowlers in fine form, India looks like the team to beat. England, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly, especially their batting unit, which struggled against India’s spinners. Can they bounce back and level the series? Stay tuned for the next showdown!