HIGHLIGHTS
England chase down the target by 9 wickets, take an unassailable 3-0 lead
England now eyeing a big win from here on which would also wrap the series in their favour
England batters and especially Harry Brook are unstoppable. He has notched up a fifty in no time
England captain Harry Brook has taken on Washington Sundar. 4,6,4 in the last three deliveries
England have continued with their onslaught have brought up 62 at the loss of just one wicket in the powerplay
No-balls have been a problem for India and they have bowled two already in this match
England have rebuilt the innings already and they are in cruise control at the moment
Just after hitting a six, Buttler edges one straight back to Ishan Kishan behind. He goes for 8 off 8 as Arshdeep has his first
Jos Buttler opens his arms and smashes one straight down behind the bowler for a maximum. That’s the first one of the innings
England begin the 159-run chase against India
England produced another impressive bowling display to restrict India to a below-par total in the fourth T20I at the County Ground, Bristol. On a surface offering spongy bounce and some assistance for bowlers, the hosts kept India under constant pressure and finished strongly to seize control of the contest.
The average first-innings score at the venue since 2025 is 166, making India’s total well below par. England’s pace attack once again exposed India’s weakness against the short ball, with Jofra Archer dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi early before Josh Tongue removed Ishan Kishan. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid then struck in his very first over by dismissing Abhishek Sharma, as India’s top three left-handers all fell attempting to hit across the line.
Captain Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube steadied the innings with a half-century partnership, but their scoring rate never really threatened England. Iyer eventually broke free by smashing Adil Rashid for 6, 4, 6 in the 18th over and finished with a remarkable matchup against the veteran leg-spinner.
Shreyas dominates Adil Rashid
Shreyas scored 44 off just 16 balls* against Rashid, the third-highest number of runs scored by an Indian batter against a single bowler in a T20I.
Most runs by an Indian batter against one bowler in a T20I:
- 45* (10) – Sanju Samson vs Rishad Hossain (2024)
- 44* (15) – Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Aaron Hardie (2023)
- 44 (16) – Shreyas Iyer vs Adil Rashid (2026)*
- 41* (12) – Suryakumar Yadav vs Zak Foulkes (2026)
- 39* (14) – Suryakumar Yadav vs Lockie Ferguson (2022)
Despite Iyer’s late assault, England regained control in the death overs. Their bowlers conceded just eight runs and picked up two wickets in the final two overs, without allowing a single boundary, using slower deliveries and variations to perfection.
India continue to struggle against hard lengths
India’s problems against short-pitched bowling remained evident throughout the series.
Against seamers in the series:
- Hard lengths (8-10m): 102 runs off 76 balls, 7 dismissals, average 14.57, strike rate 134.21
- Bouncers (10m+): 69 runs off 42 balls, 4 dismissals, average 17.25, strike rate 164.28
Combined: 171 runs off 118 balls, 11 dismissals, average 15.54, strike rate 144.91.
India’s innings by phases
- Overs 1-6: 44/2 (7.33 RPO)
- Overs 7-15: 72/2 (8.00 RPO)
- Overs 16-20: 42/3 (8.40 RPO)
The innings also marked the 12th time India have failed to hit a boundary in the final two overs of a completed T20I innings. The previous instance came against South Africa during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Perth.
Venue trends
Although Bristol has traditionally produced high-scoring contests—the last five T20Is at the venue have seen an average first-innings score of 204, including England’s successful chase of 197 against West Indies in June 2025—conditions this season have favoured bowlers. Across five T20 Blast matches played here in 2026, the average first-innings score has been just 156, with teams defending their totals on three occasions.
Will Jacks impresses with clever variations
England all-rounder Will Jacks mixed up his pace effectively during his spell:
- Under 85 kmph: 1/10 in 11 balls (Economy: 5.46)
- Over 85 kmph: 0/17 in 13 balls (Economy: 7.85)
With India posting a below-par score on a sluggish surface, England headed into the chase firmly in the driver’s seat.
