Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya ran the one-man show as India picked up a comfortable 50-run victory against England in the first T20I in the three-match T20I series at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Thursday, July 7.
Hardik Pandya steals the show
India had won the toss and skipper Rohit Sharma elected to bat. Young pacer Arshdeep Singh made his debut for India, having received his cap ahead of the toss. Rohit Sharma also made his return to the square after his battle with COVID-19.
On the other hand, England started a new era under Jos Buttler who took over the captaincy duties after Eoin Morgan. Morgan had announced his retirement from international cricket after witnessing a dip in his form for a long time.
India tallied a respectable total of 198 for eight. Suryakumar Yadav scored a 19-ball 39 before being dismissed by Chris Jordan. Deepak Hooda also played a quickfire knock before losing his wicket in the ninth over. Rohit played a brisk knock of 24 before losing his wicket to Moeen Ali, who also dismissed Ishan in his next over. Hardik Pandya hit his maiden T20I fifty to topple the 190-mark.
Chasing a target of 199, England suffered an early collapse. Hardik Pandya had earlier dismissed Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone in the fifth over, before also getting the better of Jason Roy. The Indian all-rounder also scalped Sam Curran. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali(36), who scored most runs on the board and Harry Brook also departed in quick succession as Yuzvendra Chahal returned with a couple of wickets. Speedsters Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel also finished the game with a wicket each. Arshdeep Singh also had a wicket to his name when he dismissed Reece Topley.
India will go up against England in the 2nd T20I on Saturday, July 9 at Edgbaston Stadium in Edgbaston.
