Adil Rashid’s brilliant middle-overs spell led England to victory in the third T20I against India. His masterful leg-spin derailed India’s chase, securing a 26-run win.
England defeated India in the third T20I in Rajkot, primarily due to a dominant bowling performance led by Adil Rashid. The match saw England post a competitive total of 171/9, after being asked to bat first. Despite a quick start by India, Rashid’s masterful leg-spin in the middle overs derailed their chase, securing a 26-run victory for the visitors. Ben Duckett’s 51 off 28 balls and Liam Livingstone’s 43 off 24 provided a strong foundation for England, but Varun Chakravarthy once again troubled the middle-order, restricting their progress.
England’s Innings and India’s Response
England’s innings was a mix of explosive hitting and measured accumulation. While Duckett and Livingstone provided the initial impetus, Chakravarthy’s spell slowed down the scoring rate. England still managed to reach a respectable 171. India’s response started promisingly, with the team crossing 50 runs in the powerplay. Tilak Varma’s six off Livingstone in the seventh over further sustained the momentum. However, the middle overs proved to be India’s downfall.
Adil Rashid’s Impact
Rashid, who entered the attack in the eighth over, immediately tightened the screws on India. He dismissed the in-form Tilak Varma with a sharp leg-break, a crucial wicket that stopped India’s momentum. Rashid’s spell was a masterclass in control and precision. He conceded very few runs, not allowing a single boundary and making it difficult for the Indian batters to even rotate the strike. By the time Rashid completed his spell, India was struggling at 90/5 after 14 overs, needing 82 off the last six.
The Middle-Overs Battle
The middle overs were the key phase of the match. England scored 71 runs in this period despite losing five wickets, while India managed only 49 runs for the loss of two wickets. This 22-run difference proved too difficult for India to overcome. Rashid’s economical bowling, coupled with Jamie Overton’s variations, kept the pressure on India. Overton took three crucial wickets for 24 runs, complementing Rashid’s efforts perfectly.
Captain’s Perspective
England captain Jos Buttler praised Rashid as the team’s most important player, highlighting his ability to assess conditions and vary his bowling. He also acknowledged the significance of the dew not impacting the game as much as expected. Buttler expressed satisfaction with the aggressive style of play that England is adopting, both with the bat and ball. He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of all-rounders like Overton and Brydon Carse, who can impact all three facets of the game.
Rashid’s Consistent Performance
Rashid’s performance was not a one-off. He had a similar impact in the second T20I in Chennai, where he conceded very few runs, nearly swinging the game in England’s favor. While Tilak Varma’s brilliance got India over the line in that game, this time, Rashid had ample support from the other bowlers, ultimately securing victory. The pressure he exerted on the Indian batters is evident from the fact that the required run rate ballooned from 8.46 at the start of his spell to 13.66 by the time he finished.
Conclusion
The third T20I was a testament to England’s resilience and adaptability. After losing the toss, they posted a decent total, and then their bowling unit, led by Rashid, displayed composure and skill. Rashid’s ability to squeeze the runs in the middle overs was the main difference between the two sides, effectively choking the Indian batting lineup and leading to England’s victory. With this win, England closed the gap in the series, now trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, showing they are moving in the right direction.
Sources: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/133253/england-live-on-with-adil-rashids-middle-overs-squeeze
https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-england-2025/after-win-vs-india-in-3rd-t20i-england-skipper-jos-buttler-hails-trump-card-adil-rashid-7585124
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-videos/ind-vs-eng-3rd-t20i-varun-chakravarthy-not-afraid-to-pitch-the-ball-up-says-sanjay-manjrekar-1470870