England stay alive with 26-run victory over India

RAJKOT,India: England kept their hopes alive in the five-match T20 series with a crucial 26-run victory over India in Rajkot on Tuesday. Ben Duckett (51) and Liam Livingstone (43) played key roles in England’s total of 171-9.

Despite a brilliant bowling display from India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who claimed an impressive 5-24, England’s bowlers delivered a spirited performance, restricting the hosts to 145-9. The win denied India an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

Beaten convincingly in Kolkata and narrowly in Chennai, England entered the third match under pressure. After Hardik Pandya dismissed Phil Salt early, Duckett and Jos Buttler (24) steadied the innings with a 76-run stand. Chakravarthy’s heroics triggered a batting collapse, but England’s bowlers held firm to seal the win.

The series now stands at 2-1 in India’s favor, with two matches remaining.