England defeated India by 26 runs in the third T20 match and took a 2-1 lead in the series. In this match played in Rajkot on Wednesday, Team India won the toss and decided to bowl first and invited England to bat. The guests scored 171 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. In response, the Indian team could score only 145 runs for nine wickets in the stipulated overs. In this way, England managed to win the first match in this series. Now both the teams will face each other once again in Pune on Friday (31 January) in which Team India will aim to take an unassailable lead in the series.

India's batting order scattered like a pack of cards
The Indian team, which came out to chase the target, did not have a great start. The first blow came in the form of Sanju Samson, he was made a victim by Jofra Archer. He could score only three runs, while left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma returned to the pavilion after playing an innings of 24 runs. In this match, Hardik Pandya played the highest innings of 40 runs for India. He hit one four and two sixes. Apart from him, captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 14, Tilak Verma scored 18, Washington Sundar scored six, Axar Patel scored 15, Dhruv Jurel scored two, Mohammad Shami scored seven, Ravi Bishnoi scored four* and Varun Chakraborty scored one* run. For England, Jamie Overton took three wickets while Jofra Archer and Brydon Cars took two wickets each. Apart from this, Mark Wood and Adil Rashid got one success each.

Varun Chakraborty wreaked havoc
In this match, England started with a jolt. Opener Phil Salt was out in the second over after scoring just five runs. Hardik Pandya got him caught by Abhishek Sharma. After this, Ben Duckett and Jos Buttler took over the front. There was a partnership of 76 runs in 45 balls for the second wicket between the two, which was broken by Varun Chakraborty. He got the England captain caught out by Samson. He returned after scoring 24 runs with the help of one four and as many sixes. At the same time, Daketh managed to complete the second T20 half-century of his career in 26 balls. During this, seven fours and two sixes came off his bat. Against India, Harry Brook scored eight, Liam Livingstone scored 43, Jamie Smith scored six, Jamie Overton scored zero, Brydon Carse scored three, Jofra Archer scored zero. At the same time, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood remained unbeaten after scoring 10-10 runs. For India, Varun Chakraborty took five wickets while Hardik Pandya got two wickets. Apart from this, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel got one success each.