Bristol: England secure T20I series with nine-wicket victory over India

By Aditya Rao — 9 July 2026 — 3 min read

England dominate fourth T20I in Bristol

England secured a decisive nine-wicket victory over India in the fourth T20I at the County Ground, Bristol, to clinch the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. The hosts successfully chased down a target of 159 runs in just 13.5 overs, showcasing a dominant batting performance. This victory marks England‘s first bilateral T20I series win against India in a contest featuring more than two matches.

The match saw impressive unbeaten half-centuries from captain Harry Brook and opener Phil Salt, who dismantled the Indian bowling attack. Their partnership was central to England‘s comfortable chase, leaving India with no answers after an early breakthrough.

For India, captain Shreyas Iyer fought a lone battle, scoring an unbeaten 80 runs off 49 balls. His innings was a highlight for India as wickets fell around him, guiding his team to a total of 158 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Iyer’s valiant effort for India

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India experienced another top-order collapse against England‘s pace attack. Opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 15, while Ishan Kishan scored 4 and Abhishek Sharma contributed 16. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were instrumental in reducing India to 48 for 3 within the first seven overs.

Shreyas Iyer, however, displayed composure and aggression, hitting four boundaries and five sixes. He particularly targeted leg-spinner Adil Rashid, scoring 44 runs off just 16 balls against him. This marked the third-most runs scored by an Indian batter against a single bowler in a T20I innings. Iyer‘s effort ensured India reached a respectable total, adding 53 runs with Shivam Dube, who scored 22.

England‘s bowlers maintained discipline throughout the innings. Jofra Archer finished with figures of 2 for 20, while Josh Tongue chipped in with 2 for 36. The extra bounce on the pitch proved challenging for the Indian top order, with Archer removing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the second time in as many innings. Kishan was also undone by the bounce, while Rashid took a crucial catch off his own bowling to dismiss Abhishek Sharma.

England’s dominant chase

India‘s defence of 158 started with a glimmer of hope when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler for 8 in the second over. However, this optimism was short-lived as Harry Brook and Phil Salt took control of the chase.

Harry Brook, the England captain, launched a powerful assault on the Indian bowling attack. He showcased a wide range of strokes, manipulating the field and punishing loose deliveries. Brook reached his half-century in just 21 balls and remained unbeaten on 79 runs off 24 deliveries. His innings included eight fours and four sixes.

Phil Salt provided excellent support, remaining unbeaten on 59 runs off 42 balls, which included nine fours and one six. The pair forged an unbroken 151-run partnership after the early wicket, ensuring England reached the target with 37 balls to spare. Salt, fresh from a match-winning 70 in Nottingham, continued his strong form.

The defeat is particularly concerning for the reigning T20 world champions, India, who have now lost back-to-back series within four months of their title triumph. This marks Shreyas Iyer‘s fifth defeat in six matches as captain, as he continues to search for his maiden victory in the role. India had previously suffered a 0-2 defeat to Ireland and now trail 0-3 against England, with the series opener having been washed out.

Before this series, India had won 11 of their previous 12 bilateral T20I series, with the only exception being a 1-1 drawn series in South Africa in December 2023. The final T20I of the series is scheduled to be played at Southampton on Saturday.

Source: m.rediff.com