Indian cricket team were dealt a huge blow after Shivam Dube didn’t come out to field after scoring 53 not out. Ramandeep Singh first came out to field before Harshit Ranaq walked onto the field. Just after the sixth over of England’s innings. The move came after Dube was struck on his head while batting.
Harshit Rana was confirmed to be the concussion substitute for India which meant that the 23-year-old was making his T20I debut in the most bizarre manner. Suryakumar Yadav and his side will be pleased as they will get an extra bowling option in the second innings.
Earlier in the day, India batted first and scored 181 runs from 20 overs for the loss of eight wickets. At the one the stage the hosts were 12/3 after two overs before Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya scored 53 runs each. Saqib Mahmood bowled a triple wicket maiden to become the first England bowler to achieve this feat.
Indian spinners fightback after England’s blazing start
Chasing 182 runs to win, Phil Salt began well as he smashed Arshdeep Singh for two fours to take eight runs off the first over. Hardik Pandya conceded 11 runs in his opening over as England got off to a great start. Ben Ducket then hit Arshdeep for three fours in successive balls to score 13 runs off the third over.
Axar Patel was hit for 16 runs in his opening over as England reached 53 for no loss after five overs. Suryakumar Yadav turned to Ravi Bishnoi to bowl the final over of the powerplay and the youngster didn’t let his captain down. Duckett was caught by Yadav for 39 off 19 balls while trying to clear the cover region.
Phil Salt was the next man out as he tried to give himself room only to find his stumps in a mess to give Axar Patel a huge wicket. Harshit Rana took a sharp catch to get the wicket of England skipper Jos Buttler for two runs as the visitors lost three wickets in quick time. At the end of ten overs, England were 86/3 still needing 96 runs from 10 overs.