Varun Chakravarthy stars as India thrash England in first T20I

India chase down the target with 43 balls to spare

By Web Desk
January 22, 2025
India´s Varun Chakravarthy (left) bowls a delivery during the first T20I against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22, 2025. — AFP

KOLKATA: Varun Chakravarthy’s economical bowling figures of 3/23, followed by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering half-century, propelled India to a commanding seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20I of the five-match series here at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Put into bat first, the touring side got off to a disastrous start as Arshdeep Singh removed both their openers Phil Salt (0) and Ben Duckett (four) in his first two overs, becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in men’s T20Is.

Coming out to bat at number three, England captain Jos Buttler took the reins of his side’s batting charge and struck a defiant half-century.

The right-handed batter top-scored for the touring side with a brisk 68 off 44 deliveries with the help of eight fours and two sixes before falling victim to Chakravarthy in the 17th over.

Harry Brook (17) and Jofra Archer (12) were the other two English batters to amass double figures as England were bowled out for a meagre 132 in 20 overs.

Varun Chakravarthy was the standout bowler for India, taking three wickets for just 23 runs, while record-breaking Arshdeep, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel bagged two wickets each.

Chasing a modest 133-run target, the home side comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets and 43 balls to spare, thanks to Sharma’s blitz.

The opening batter smashed five fours and eight sixes on his way to a 34-ball 79, turning the match a one-sided affair for the hosts.

His fellow opener Sanju Samson (26) and Tilak Varma (19) were the other notable run-getters for India, who now lead the five-match series 1-0.

The second T20I between the two sides is scheduled to be played on January 25 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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