Tilak Varma denies England as India edge to dramatic victory in second T20
Tilak Varma denies England as India edge to dramatic victory in second T20
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This was a night of push and pull in Chennai, of a match undecided until the final hit, the 20-over game at its best, initially belonging to Brydon Carse but ending in the arms of Tilak Varma. The India batter was both responsible and electric in a chase of 166, an unbeaten 55-ball 72 providing his side with a 2-0 lead in this five-match series with England.
![[Mark Wood celebrates with Harry Brook after taking the wicket of India’s Abhishek Sharma]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c105422edb4aa6293ff51acea4146a882e6c7f06/0_0_3085_2034/master/3085.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Carse threatened to be the match-winner, his 17-ball 31 followed by three crowd-silencing wickets. With India requiring 40 from 30, but with just three wickets in hand, the match was turning towards the visitors. With Jofra Archer’s heat to take in once again, Varma had much to do.
But he had used it well earlier in the innings, and he would do so again at the death. A top-edge for six was fortunate, a guide over the rope behind point the next ball outstanding, the England quick consigned to final figures of one for 60 off his four overs. Varma was responsible for half that tally.
The drama didn’t relent there as Adil Rashid dismissed Arshdeep Singh at the end of a miserly 17th over, the strike now needing serious management from the only remaining batter. But the nerves were held alongside Ravi Bishnoi – nine crucial runs off five – as Varma threaded Jamie Overton through the covers, a memorable victory settled with four balls to spare.
It had begun like a Wednesday rerun. India added Washington Sundar to their spin attack from the series opener, ready to capitalise on England’s aversion to twirl. The offie all-rounder was into the game early, holding on at deep backward square as Arshdeep, once again, dismissed Phil Salt in the opening over. Ben Duckett went cheaply too, the innings resting on Jos Buttler.
