India vs England ENG in IND, 5 T20Is, 2025, Full Score Card

OUT! RUN OUT! Incredible work from Jos Buttler! Outstanding last over from Jamie Overton. The 20th over goes for just 3 runs. Overton bangs it into the deck, around off, Shivam Dube fails to get on top of it and flat bats it towards long on. He takes the first one and turns around quickly for the second run. Jos Buttler swoops in and gets to the ball. Picks it up cleanly and fires in a throw on the bounce at the batting end. He knocks the stumps down and the third umpire is called into action. The replays show that Dube is short of his crease despite the stretch. So, just 1 run from the last ball and India will finish on 181!

Halt! A mandatory concussion test for Shivam Dube. The physio from the Indian dugout rushes out to attend Dube. Dube looks well and is good to face the last ball.

Another dot! Straight on the helmet! Banged in short and directed at the body, Shivam Dube goes for a pull but misses and the ball smashes right on the helmet grill.

On a back of a length, on off, Shivam Dube slaps it straight to long off but does not take the single.

Ravi Bishnoi is in at number 10.

OUT! RUN OUT! Jamie keeps it away from the batter's arc, near the tramline on off, on a length, Arshdeep Singh has a swing at it but fails to make any contact. He gets called through for a bye and Singh has no other option but to run and sacrifice his wicket to get Dube back on strike. The keeper Phil Salt collects and rolls an underarm throw towards Overton. The bowler picks it up and flicks it onto the stumps behind him at the bowling end to catch Singh short of his crease. Just the 2 runs off the over so far.

Arshdeep Singh is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Axar Patel holes out this time! On the fuller side, on middle and leg from over the wicket, Axar Patel gets his front pad out of the way to whip it away. Gets no elevation on it and hits it flat and straight to deep mid-wicket where Jacob Bethell makes no mistake.

DROPPED! Liam Livingstone puts down a skier! Off-cutter, going across the left-hander, on a length, Axar Patel stays low to make the connection but gets more height than distance on it. It goes straight up towards long off where Liam Livingstone settles under it and tries to take it near his chest but fails to hold on as the ball pops out of his grasp. Two runs taken.

Jamie Overton to bowl the last over.

FOUR! FIFTY for Dube on his return to the side! What started as a tidy over ends up going for 12 runs. On a back of a length, outside off, Shivam Dube camps back and frees his arms to slap it past extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Poor delivery and it gets the treatment! Carse misses his mark as he hurls a low full toss, on the pads, Shivam Dube hangs back and helps it to the right of deep fine leg for a boundary.

Good 1st 4 balls of the over from Carse! Slower one, on a back of a length, on middle, Axar pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Axar Patel swats it to the right of deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Short of a length, on off, Dube hits it firmly towards long on for a single.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Shivam Dube misses the tickle and it rolls off the pads towards the keeper.

Axar Patel is out to the middle at number 8.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A timely wicket for England heading into the last 2 overs! Overton takes pace off and lands it on a length, on off, Hardik Pandya goes for a heave across the line but swings too hard and loses his shape in the process. Gets a top edge and it gets skied towards cover-point. Jos Buttler from extra cover runs to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a safe catch. End of a fine knock from Hardik as he departs for a quickfire 53 (30). India are 166/6.

On a back of a length, over middle, Hardik Pandya arches back and glides it over the keeper. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence. The short third fielder gives it a chase and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Fuller in length, on off, Shivam Dube swipes it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Jamie Overton errs again as this is on the pads with fine leg inside the circle, on a back of a length, Dube lifts his front leg and helps it over the man at short fine leg for a boundary.

There seems to be a problem with the ball as a piece of the seam has come off. It is being replaced while the players help themselves with some fluids. The ball has been exchanged now and we are good to continue.

On a back of a length, on off, Hardik Pandya skips down the track and pushes it wide of cover for a single.

SIX! CLOBBERED! Hardik Pandya gets to his FIFTY in some style! In the previous game, he looked to muscle the ball, but here in Pune, he has focused on holding his shape, and it has paid off brilliantly. Jamie Overton misses the mark as he dishes out the slower one but it is on a length, on off, Hardik Pandya clears his front leg and pumps it over the sight screen for a biggie. A fifty after 14 long innings for Pandya.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Overton gets it wrong as he serves an above-waist full toss, on off, Hardik Pandya arches back and manages to ramp it over short third for a boundary. Free Hit coming up.

Phil Salt goes up in appeal but he gets no support from the bowler! Full and pushed down the leg side, Hardik Pandya misses the tickle. There is a noise as the ball goes past Hardik but the umpire signals a wide.

On a shortish length, on off, Hardik Pandya pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for one more. Good last couple of overs for India. 33 runs off the last 12 balls.

Angling back into the left-hander, on a short of a good length, pulled through square leg for one by Dube.

FOUR! Up and over! Not a great option from Archer as he looks to go full but mid off is inside the circle. Ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Shivam Dube backs away and lofts it with a straight bat over mid off for four more.

Drags the length back, on off, Hardik Pandya pulls it towards wide long on for a single.

FOUR! Gap picked to perfection! Pitched up, on off, Hardik Pandya stays deep in the crease and gets his hands through the line. Thumps it right in the gap between deep extra cover and long off for a boundary.

SIX! For the second over in a row, the first ball goes for six! On a nagging length, on off, Hardik Pandya swings through the line and tonks it over long off for a six.

Jofra Archer is back into the attack. 3-0-20-0 so far. He replaces Jamie Overton.

Gets the yorker in, on middle, Hardik Pandya digs it out to long on for a single.

SIX! A skimmer but Hardik gets enough elevation to clear the fence! Saqib digs it in short, on middle, Hardik Pandya presses back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. For a moment, Harry Brook in the deep thought he was in business but the ball sailed over him.

Lands it on a back of a length, on off, Shivam Dube makes room and spanks it to long on for one.

Wide! Sprays it down leg, fuller in length, Shivam Dube looks to help it away but misses.

Angling across, on a back of a length, punched to cover.

Miscued but safe! Banged in short, at pace, on off, the ball gets big on Hardik who looks to fend it down on the off side. It gets spooned but falls in the vacant mid off region for a single.

SIX! Saqib gets greeted back into the attack with a six! On a length, on off, Hardik Pandya puts the dancing shoes on and with a straight bat, lofts it over long off for a six.

Top-edge, in the air...lands ahead of the keeper, Salt! Not too short and on the middle stump line, Shivam Dube looks to whip it across but finds the top-edge. The ball lobs and falls near the stumps. Overton and Phil Salt scoot toward the ball for the catch but it lands between them.

WIDE! A tough call this! Salt and Overton show disagreement with the decision. Closer to the tramline, going across, Dube leaves. Wide called.

Full toss on the pads, flicked away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Sharp bumper on the bodyline, Hardik Pandya swivels across to pull but inside edges it and the ball passes scaringly close to the off stump. It dribbles back to the keeper. Phil Salt makes a sharp stop diving to his left.

Good length, on off, just stops a bit on the deck, Hardik Pandya manages to keep it out to the cover region.

Short and around off, skidding through quickly, Hardik Pandya tries to guide it awkwardly to the deep third region but misses.

Overton is back on, replacing Carse. Hits the deck hard, over the top of off, Shivam Dube backs away and slashes it to deep point for a single.

Nicely looped up, a leg-break now on middle, Hardik Pandya takes a huge stride forward and respects this full ball by blocking it in front. Adil Rashid ends his spell with figures of 4-0-35-1.

Tossed up, a googly, full and on middle, Hardik Pandya leans forward and defends it out to the off side.

Now gets to the other end! Flat and on a length, on the leg stump, Shivam Dube tucks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Trying to motor away now! He has picked the bones out of it! Serves a half-volley on the middle stumps, does Rashid. Shivam Dube gets his front foot out of the way, finds the ball in his slot and spanks it behind the sightscreen for a massive six.

FOUR! The 100 comes up for India! A drag-down from Rashid, turning back into middle and leg, Shivam Dube swivels and pulls it through the vacant square leg region for a smashing boundary.

Full and floated up, around off, Hardik Pandya takes a step forward and drives it past mid off for a single.

On the pads, on a good length, Hardik Pandya glances it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Dug in short and outside off, Shivam Dube comes forward and plays it almost like a tennis shot, keeping it along the ground, to deep cover for a single.

A slower ball now on the stumps, this is squeezed out into the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Nonchalant! A scrambled-seam delivery, full and outside off, Hardik Pandya picks it up and smashes it through cover for a cracking boundary. The fielder chasing from deep point stands no chance to stop that as it bullets away into the fence.

FOUR! BANG! Short of a length, outside off, climbing just a bit more, Hardik Pandya stands tall and pulls it powerfully to deep mid-wicket and finds the fence. That was a powerful shot from Hardik!

Length delivery around off. Hardik steps down the track and drives it to cover.

FOUR! Powerful stroke that! Just lands before the boundary cushions! Pitched short and around off, Dube reads the googly off Rashid's hand and quickly rocks back and smashes it flat and hard, wide of the long on fence.

Slower through the air again, fuller and on off, Hardik Pandya lunges ahead and drives through cover for a single.

Nicely tossed up, full and around off, spinning away. Hardik leans forward but leaves.

Floated full and on the stumps, Shivam Dube drills it down to long on for a single.

Looped on a length around off, spins away from the batter. Hardik hangs back and punches it to the cover region for a single.

Length, outside off, cut away wide of backward point for a single.

Back of a length, Pandya pushes it past the right of the bowler.

Back of a length at the stumps, Hardik works it to mid on.

Hardik Pandya comes out to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! India are reeling now and they have now lost half the side! Back of a length, around off, with some extra skid and a bit of bounce on it as well. Rinku Singh skips down the track and flat-bats in the air but gets no timing on it. Instead, the top edge is found and it sails straight behind towards the deep third region where Adil Rashid moves to his right and takes a sharp catch. Rinku Singh departs on 30 (26).

WIDE! Salt is certain that he has heard something but finds no support from the others, including the bowler! Sprayed down leg on a length, Rinku Singh misses to heave it across and the ball zips to the keeper.

Fired in on the pads, Shivam Dube clips it fine and the ball rolls along the ground to deep fine for a single.

FOUR! Pierced away! Carse keeps hitting the deck hard and keeps it closer to the off-pole, Shivam Dube stands tall and cuts it past backward point and beats the chasing deep third fielder to his left for a boundary.

Length ball on off, Rinku Singh leans back and guides it to deep third for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. So 47/3 in the Powerplay, and then 25/1 in the next four overs. This has been some excellent bowling display from the English bowlers. And Adil Rashid has further helped to slow things down with his masterful variations. Rinku Singh has looked good so far while Dube is sent in to inflate the run rate. India needs one of these two to bat deep and help the hosts to post a challenging total. Let's see how this mid-over phase pans out for both sides. Here's Brydon Carse into the attack after the break.

Swing and a miss! Rashid serves the googly, on a length, outside off, Shivam Dube gets down for the slog sweep but he does not pick the googly and connects with thin air as the ball spins away from him.

A half-tracker, on off, Rinku Singh flat bats it to long on for a single.

Now then, has it come off the glove? Taken by Jos Buttler but he does not look overly excited. Takes the review after having a word with the bowler and the keeper. Loopy delivery, on a nagging length, on off, Rinku Singh goes for the reverse but he is deceived by the slowness of the delivery. He swings way too early and fails to connect. The ball comes off his body on its way to first slip but has it made any contact with the glove or the bat? The UltraEdge shows no bat or glove involved and it went off Rinku's thigh. LBW is also checked and the Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside off. England lose a review.

Dishes out a googly but it is a bit too short, on off, Dube presses back and punches it past cover for a single.

Floated up, fuller and on off, Rinku Singh eases the drive to long off for one.

Going across, on a nagging length, Rinku Singh switches his stance for the reverse but fails to connect.

Dube fails to make the Free Hit count! Dug in short by Archer, over off and middle, Shivam Dube moves to the leg side and swings for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

NO BALL! With a short leg in place, Archer goes full and on middle and leg, Shivam Dube backs away, anticipating a short ball but manages to keep it out. Uh oh, Archer has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

Lobbed and taken at first slip! Half a shout from Jamie Overton after completing the catch but the umpire is unmoved. Jofra Archer knows that it has come off the shoulder and England do not take the review. A sharp and quick bumper that had Dube in all sorts of discomfort. Dube takes his eyes off the ball as he looks to fend it down. Wears it on the left shoulder and it balloons towards the first slip.

Banged in short, at the helmet of the batter, Rinku Singh pulls it all along the ground towards deep square leg for a single.

Leg bye! Tries to follow the batter does Archer as Dube backs away, on a short of a good length, Shivam Dube fails to help it away. The batters cross as the ball rolls off the pads towards backward square leg.

Archer goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, at the stumps, Dube pushes it to mid-wicket.

Leg bye! Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Rinku Singh misses the flick and wears it on the pads. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls behind the wicket on the leg side.

SIX! NAILED! Tossed up by Adil, on middle, right in the arc for the left-hander, Shivam Dube gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Fuller and on off, knocked down to long off for one more.

On a nagging length, on middle, Shivam Dube punches it to long on for a single.

DROPPED! Jos Buttler puts a tough one down! Angling across the left-hander, on a nagging length, Shivam Dube pushes at the delivery with hard hands away from his body. Gets an outside edge that flies quickly towards first slip. Jos sticks out his left hand but fails to cling on. The ball hits his palm and drops down.

Shivam Dube is in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Four and out for Abhishek against Rashid! The leggie strikes with his 2nd ball. This is slower through the air, around off, Abhishek Sharma reaches out in front and gets down on a knee for the slog sweep. Fails to get the elevation and picks out the man in the deep to perfection. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of Jacob Bethell at deep mid-wicket. Just as the partnership was starting to flourish, India have been pegged back. They are 57/4 now as Abhishek Sharma departs for a brisk 29 (19).

FOUR! Rashid is greeted with a boundary! This is pushed through, on a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma extends his hands into the shot and cracks the drive to the right of cover for a boundary.

Spin from the other end? Indeed. Here's Adil Rashid. He replaces Jamie Overton.

FOUR! Gets it through! Slightly fuller, on off, Rinku Singh leans into the shot and drives it to the right of the man at cover inside the ring. He also beats the diving fielder in the deep to his left to pick up a boundary.

Beaten! This skids through, on a back of a length, Rinku Singh stays leg side of the ball and tries to run it down to deep third but misses.

On a back of a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma tries to pull it towards cow corner but ends up hitting it straighter towards long on. He mistimes the shot and that helps him in a way as the ball drops well short of Harry Brook at long on. A single taken.

Slower and going across the left-hander, on the fuller side, Abhishek Sharma reaches out and eases it towards backward point where Ben Duckett tumbles to his right and prevents the single.

Angling across, on a length, Rinku Singh angles the bat face and dabs it towards backward point where Ben Duckett fumbles and concedes a single.

Attacking the stumps, full in length, firmly driven to cover.

Jamie Overton is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Brydon Carse.

On off and middle, on a back of a length, Rinku Singh makes room and dances down the track to force it through the off side. Ends up chopping it down in front of point for one. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 47/3.

SIX! Nonchalantly done! This is on a shortish length, over off and middle, Rinku Singh picks up the length early and presses back. Uses his wrists to play the pick-up shot over deep backward square leg for a six.

Better line, on top of off, on a short of a length, Rinku Singh steers it straight to Jofra Archer at short third.

A bit too straight again, on the pads, on a hard length, Abhishek Sharma tucks it wide of backward square leg for a single.

On a good length, on the pads, Abhishek Sharma lets the ball come to him and flicks it through mid-wicket. Calls for two immediately and he gets it with ease.

On a back of a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma hangs back and glides it towards short third.

Too full and around off, Rinku Singh gets forward and drives it straight to short cover.

Dug in short and on the stumps, Rinku Singh ducks underneath it.

FOUR! Shot! Back of a length, on the middle and leg, Rinku Singh charges down the track again and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Some intent from Rinku Singh! Buttler won't mind this one bit! A well-directed short-pitched delivery, on the bodyline, nipping away, Rinku Singh gives the bowler the charge and tries to pull but the top-edge flies the ball over the slips for a boundary.

Aims the blockhole, and gets the yorker correct, on off, Rinku Singh squats and carves it out to point.

Brydon Carse comes into the attack now, replacing Jofra Archer! Begins with a good-length delivery, outside off, Abhishek Sharma cuts it square to deep point for a single.

Brydon Carse comes into the attack as the first change.

BEATEN! Just a yard ahead of the short length, and over the top of off, nipping away a shy bit. Rinku Singh stays rooted in his crease and tries to nudge it around the corner but gets beaten by the express pace. The ball passes above his angled bat.

At 137.7 kph, on a hard length, outside off, Abhishek Sharma plays it late and hits it to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Goodness me, that is a shot of high quality! Pitched-up delivery, in the arc, on off, Abhishek Sharma gets forward, hits it through the line and finds the gap between cover and point for a cracking boundary.

Outside off, slanting away on a length, Abhishek Sharma slashes and misses.

FOUR! Timing! Length-delivery, outside off, Abhishek Sharma stands tall and punches it through the gap between cover and mid off for a boundary. The cover fielder tries to stop it with the dive to his left but the ball evades him and runs to the boundary.

Hard length, fairly outside off, Abhishek Sharma shuffles and covers the stumps, looks to loft it over the bowler's head but misses as the ball nips away from him.

Good gas from Archer! Short and on the bodyline, Rinku dodges under it.

FOUR! Now that is a good shot from Rinku! Seam-up, full and on middle, Rinku Singh shimmies down the track and offers himself some room, opens his arms, and slaps it past covers for a boundary.

Good length and outside off, Rinku Singh jabs it away towards point.

Angling on the pads on a fuller length, Abhishek Sharma misses to flick and the ball deflects off his front pad to the keeper where Salt fumbles a bit and allows the batters to cross over for a leg bye.

Back of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh hops on the back foot and gets a thick outside edge that runs down to deep third for a single.

Short and outside off, Abhishek gets across to the other end after playing it with soft hands to the off side.

Rinku Singh walks out to bat with India in early strife.

OUT! CAUGHT! The Pune crowd is in absolute silence now as SKY departs on a four-ball duck! India in deep, deep trouble! Saqib Mahmood stays over the stumps and spears the ball on the fullish length, angling into the middle and leg stump channel. Suryakumar Yadav stays in the crease and looks to flick it in the mid on and mid-wicket gap, but hits it off the higher part of the bat and the bat twists in his hands at the point of contact. Hence, the ball just chips off the willow and goes parallel to the ground and Brydon Carse at short mid on takes a simple catch. England are thrilled to bits and the Indian skipper cannot believe it!

Aims the sticks, does Saqib, on a fullish length, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav blocks it in front.

On the back of a length, on top of off, at 135.9 kph, Suryakumar Yadav gets on the back foot and stabs it on the surface.

Full and at 138.6 kph, full and around off, Suryakumar Yadav works it straight to mid-wicket.

The Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav walks out to face the hat-trick ball. Two slips and a short leg in place.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN AGAIN! Saqib Mahmood is on a HAT-TRICK! India are in early trouble and Tilak Varma departs for a golden duck! Saqib fires in a fuller-length delivery and keeps it just around off. It lands and skids through quickly as Tilak Varma charges down the track to give it a whack over the in-field. But ends up getting a thickish outside edge that flies straight behind and dips ahead of Jofra Archer at deep third. Archer does well, gets low on his haunches and takes a fine catch to his right. India are 12/2 now.

Tilak Varma walks in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! And again, the short ball becomes the nemesis for Sanju Samson as he departs on a cheap score! England are overjoyed and rightly so and Saqib Mahmood makes an impact right away! Saqib steams in from over the pegs and bangs it into the surface, short and on the bodyline of the right-hander, Sanju Samson is rushed and the ball gets a bit heavy on him as well. He does go through the shot and pulls it aerially, looking to clear the square leg fielder, but doesn't get the timing right and the ball sails straight down the throat of Brydon Carse in the deep.

Brought into the side for Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood will operate from the other end.

FOUR! A positive start for Abhishek Sharma and India! 12 runs off the opening over! Almost a half-tracker slightly around off, Abhishek stays leg side of the ball and smashes it past mid off for a cracking boundary. The fielder gives it a chase to the ropes but the ball wins the race.

SIX! Wow! What a beautiful shot! Back of a length, just outside off, Abhishek Sharma gets everything he desires - length, width and height. Climbs on the ball and just helps it behind deep backward point for a six.

Swing and a miss! At 143.6 kph, around off on a fullish length, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track to create room and tries to slash it away but misses and the ball passes above his angled bat.

Short of a good length, on off, Abhishek Sharma climbs on the bounce and knocks it to the point region where Duckett again does well to intercept the ball to his left.

Samson is off the mark now! First runs off the bat! Could have been a boundary but Ben Duckett does an excellent job in the inner ring! Back of a length, outside off, Sanju Samson stays back and cuts it nicely to pierce the point region but Duckett puts in a sharp dive to his right and half-stops it. Parries the ball to the cover region and the batters cross over for a single.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one again! Inswinger, going way down leg on a length. Wide given!

A slip in place for Archer along with a leg gully! He starts on the money! Gets a good tail back into the batter, from off, on a hard length, Sanju Samson hops across to glance it away but gets a deflection off his gloves onto the thigh pad.

We are all set to get going here in Pune. Jos Buttler leads his troops out to the centre. It will be the left-hand right-hand combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to open the innings for India. Jofra Archer will start with the new ball for England. Archer to Samson first up. A slip and a leg gully in place. Here we go!

The Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, says that the team is focused on playing a good brand of cricket and sticking to the basics. He mentions that they have come into this game fresh after the defeat and are eager to put on a good show. Speaking about the conditions, he notes that the pitch is a little on the drier side and hopes that dew doesn’t play a big role, allowing them to defend a total effectively. Informs that they have made three changes - Arshdeep Singh comes in for Mohammed Shami, Rinku Singh is fit and replaces Dhruv Jurel and Shivam Dube comes in for Washington Sundar.

The captain of England, Jos Buttler says that the atmosphere feels great and the series is nicely set up as well. Mentions he is happy with the performance and also accepts that they do have a few areas of improvement. About the pitch, he shares that he is a little bit unsure how the dew will play. Informs two changes in the side - Saqib Mahmood and Jacob Bethell come in the mix for Mark Wood and Jamie Smith respectively.

England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell (In for Jamie Smith), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood (In for Mark Wood).

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh (In for Dhruv Jurel), Shivam Dube (In for Washington Sundar), Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh (In for Mohammed Shami), Varun Chakravarthy.

TOSS - England have won the toss and they will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Nick Knight and Murali Kartik are out in the middle. Kartik points out that a strong breeze is blowing across the ground. Informs that the square boundaries are 65 and 64 meters, while the straight hit measures 75 meters. Nick adds that the surface consists of 60 percent red soil and 40 percent black soil, which means there will be good carry and bounce, suiting England. Adds that the presence of dead grass, which has been rolled in, suggests that the pitch is pretty dry with some cracks. He expects pace-on deliveries to travel well, but there is something in it for both pacers and spinners, especially for those who take the pace off the ball.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium of Pune presents an intriguing paradox. While the first innings have seen towering totals, with 206 being the benchmark, the chase narrative tells a different story. The highest successful pursuit here stands at a modest 158, coincidentally set in a 2012 clash between these very teams. The traditional black-soil wicket at Pune, with its historical fondness for spin bowling, adds another fascinating dimension to today's team selections. As both sides ponder their combinations for this crucial encounter, do stick around for the toss and team updates flashing on your screens shortly.

Breaking from the injury front, there's positive news in the Indian camp as Rinku Singh has shaken off his back spasms and returns to the selection pool, potentially displacing Dhruv Jurel or triggering other lineup changes. Meanwhile, England faces a setback with Jamie Smith's calf strain from the previous encounter, possibly paving the way for Jacob Bethell's return, a move that would bolster their spin options alongside Rashid and Livingstone.

England, buoyed by their Rajkot triumph, face what essentially amounts to two consecutive must-win games to clinch the series. Jos Buttler has been in his characteristic aggressive form, finding able support from Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone. However, concerns linger over Phil Salt's performance, as he's yet to breach double figures in the series. Similarly, Harry Brook's form has been below par, leaving England with their own batting conundrums to solve. England’s pacers have effectively troubled the Indian batters hitting those hit-the-deck-hard lengths and have benefited largely from them and are expected to continue with this tactic in Pune as well.

While India maintains their series lead, the Rajkot defeat exposed some significant concerns, particularly in their batting department. The form of key players remains a worry, notably Sanju Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav, with SKY managing just one fifty-plus score in his last ten T20I appearances, a stark contrast to his usual explosive standards. However, the emergence of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma has helped paper over these cracks, while Hardik Pandya continues to prove his worth as an all-rounder. In the bowling department, Varun Chakravarthy has been exceptional, already claiming a five-wicket haul in this series.

Cricket's age-old battle between pace and spin has taken center stage in this series, with both teams wielding their preferred weapons to devastating effect. While India's spinners have kept England's batters in a constant puzzle, the visitors' pace battery has responded with equal venom, particularly showcased in their Rajkot triumph. The return of Mohammed Shami has added extra teeth to India's pace resources, complemented by Arshdeep Singh's impressive showings. Not to be outdone in the spin department, England's Adil Rashid has proven to be a crucial weapon, especially during those crucial middle overs. Boy, it is neck and neck, isn’t it?

Kolkata, check. Chennai, done. Rajkot, just a few moons behind. The caravan now moves to the city beloved known as the ‘Queen of the Deccan’ in this 5-match series between India and England, and things have started to heat up in a true sense as the series stands well-poised 2-1 in favor of India. However, with England breaching Rajkot, the momentum lies with the visitors. On that note, we extend our warm welcome to the coverage of the 4th and the penultimate T20I as both teams are again ready to trade some tough punches in Pune.

... MATCH DAY ...

England have finally arrived in India, and they’ve done it in style! After two tough losses, they delivered a statement win in Rajkot to keep the T20I series alive. They came close in Chennai too, only to be denied by Tilak Varma’s sensational knock. Earlier, it was Abhishek Sharma’s clean striking that stole the show in Kolkata, but his opening partner Sanju Samson is yet to make his mark. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, known for his explosive batting, will also be eager to stamp his authority as India aim to wrap up the series. Gautam Gambhir and SKY have placed their faith in all-rounders, and so far, it has paid off. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar provide solid spin options, while Hardik Pandya not only adds firepower to the batting but also plays the role of a reliable second pacer. Dhruv Jurel’s presence at No. 8 gives them incredible depth. But the real star with the ball has been Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner has bagged 10 wickets in just three matches, including a stunning five-wicket haul in the last game - an effort that won him the Player of the Match award despite India’s defeat. Ravi Bishnoi has also chipped in well, but India's strategy of playing just one specialist pacer could be reconsidered. If they want extra firepower, they might bring in Ramandeep Singh, Shivam Dube, or even Rinku Singh - depending on his fitness. Meanwhile, England will feel they have the momentum now. Captain Jos Buttler has been leading from the front with the bat, and in the last game, he finally got much-needed support from Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone. The explosive Phil Salt has been quiet so far, but is he saving his best for the last two games? England certainly hope so. The visitors’ bowling attack looks sharp, with the express pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood keeping the Indian batters on their toes. Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton have provided useful variations, while the ever-reliable Adil Rashid, along with Livingstone’s ability to mix up off-breaks and leg-breaks, gives England a strong spin department. With the series now poised at 2-1, England will be hungry to level things up and take it to a decider. Can they pull off another win, or will India bounce back and seal the series with a game to spare? Buckle up - this battle is far from over!