England suffer nail-biting last-over defeat by India to trail 2-0 in their Twenty 20 series in Chennai
England suffer nail-biting last-over defeat by India to trail 2-0 in their Twenty 20 series in Chennai
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England were consigned to a dramatic last-over defeat by Tilak Varma’s unbeaten half-century, leaving the world champions 2-0 up with three to play in the Twenty20 series. India have a phenomenal record in this format and England have never triumphed in a bilateral series against them, but courtesy of Varma’s flashing blade that contributed 72 of a 166-run chase, they must overturn both history and current form.
![[India now lead the Twenty20 series 2-0, coming off a dominant win in the first match this week]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/17/94510757-14324969-image-m-34_1737827652907.jpg)
Incredibly, including a couple of super-over successes, this was India’s 35th victory in their most recent 38 completed matches, and even though Jos Buttler’s team were much improved on their opening display in Kolkata, they could not capitalise on several opportunities to put a dint in that streak.
Having lost a second toss in the space of a few days, England pieced together a slightly under-par 165 for nine courtesy of their six-hitting prowess, and then fought tigerishly to reduce Suryakumar Yadav’s side to 146 for eight. Instead of dismissing No 10 Ravi Bishnoi, however, during a tense finale in which India’s requirement came down to 13 runs from the final two overs, they watched on as he twice squirmed the ball to the boundary and Varma finished things off with four balls unused.
![[England hit a slightly under-par 165/9, with captain Jos Buttler logging 45 runs from 30 balls]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/17/94510721-14324969-image-m-37_1737827702293.jpg)
Jamie Overton, deliver of the final over, had cracked the game open when he tickled Hardik Pandya’s glove with his first delivery of the 10th, leaving the Indians 78 for five in the 10th over. England suffered a dramatic last-over defeat to lost by two wickets against India on Saturday.
![[Bryson Carse starred for the bowlers, taking three wickets and allowing 29 runs off four overs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/17/94510995-14324969-image-m-39_1737827793031.jpg)
