Tilak Varma resists England’s attack to give India victory in Chennai
Tilak Varma resists England’s attack to give India victory in Chennai
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England delivered a much-improved display but Tilak Varma’s nerveless 72 not out carried India to a nail-biting two-wicket victory and a 2-0 lead in their five-match T20 series in Chennai. Blown away in Kolkata, England coped better with another trial by spin as they posted 165 for nine, led by Jos Buttler’s 45 off 30 balls and cameos from Jamie Smith (22 off 12) and Brydon Carse (31 off 17).
Carse then took three for 29 as England’s battery of quicks reduced India to 146 for eight but Varma was immovable and used the pace to his advantage to get India over the line with four balls to spare. Varma harvested five sixes, all behind square, while the last of his four fours laced through the covers off Jamie Overton left England in the last chance saloon as they look to mark Brendon McCullum’s maiden series as all-format head coach with a win.
Adil Rashid took one for 14 but his drop when Washington Sundar was on 10 allowed the all-rounder to collected an extra 16 runs, while fortune evaded Jofra Archer, who recorded T20-worst figures of 4-0-60-1 and ran out Carse just as he looked set to carry England to a defendable total.
