We are back with India's reply! The umpires are out in the middle and are followed by the English players who spread across the field to take their positions. 

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, the conditions look promising for batting with minimal dew on the ground, giving India plenty of confidence as they gear up to chase this target. The pitch remains favourable, but England won’t go down without a fight. With a defendable total on the board and a hint of momentum from their tail towards the end, they’ll be banking on Adil Rashid to deliver a match-turning spell. All signs point to a thrilling conclusion to this game, so stay tuned as India’s reply is set to unfo

Axar Patel is down for a quick chat. He says that the spinners are being played keeping the track in mind but also the opposition. Adds that they have more pacers in their ranks but with Hardik Pandya being able to bowl with the new ball, it gives them the luxury to play three spinners. Reckons that the target should be chasable as it is a 180-185 sort of a wicket and if the bowlers miss their mark, it is very easy to hit them away.

Even as Buttler stood firm, anchoring the innings with his fluent stroke play, Axar Patel delivered the game-changing moment, dismissing him agonizingly short of a well-deserved half-century. England’s debutant Jamie Smith along with Brydon Carse offered a glimmer of hope, attacking with flair and finding the boundary at will. Yet, England’s all-too-familiar struggle with losing wickets at crucial junctures ultimately proved costly, preventing them from building a formidable total.

Just as it seemed like England might seize control, India’s local spin duo stepped in to flip the script. Washington Sundar made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Ben Duckett, and Varun Chakravarthy followed suit, dismantling Harry Brook’s stumps to halt England’s momentum as India clawed their way back into the game.

Choosing to bowl first, India couldn’t have scripted a better start. Arshdeep Singh struck like lightning in the opening over, sending Phil Salt packing. But England’s captain, Jos Buttler, had other ideas. Walking in with confidence, he lit up the field with a blistering counterattack, peppering the boundaries and leaving Indian bowlers scrambling for answers.

Some crucial late-order runs from England’s tail added a flicker of resistance, but it was India who once again asserted their dominance with a masterful bowling display, restricting the visitors to an underwhelming 165/9. The spinners were nothing short of sensational, spinning a web of deception that dismantled England’s batting lineup and firmly tipped the scales in India’s favour heading into the break.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, A couple of runs to end the first innings! Arshdeep Singh gets the yorker in on the base of leg stump, Jofra Archer stays deep and makes room to heave but miscues it in front of square leg and gets it through the infield. The batters manage to pick up an easy couple of runs and England finish with 165/9 on the board!

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, Back of a length and bowled into the deck outside off, Mark Wood manages to get on top of the bounce and hits it down to covers for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, Over the wicket now, bowled slower and on a good length, angling across the off stump, Wood swings across the line but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, ! Nicely done! Another yorker, on off, but this one dips as well. Mark Wood is almost undone by the lack of pace but does well to open the bat face and glides it wide of short third for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Nails the yorker now at the toes, Archer stays deep and manages to jam it out behind square leg for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Knuckle-ball from Arshdeep, banged in well short and over off. Jofra Archer looks to reach and cut it away but the ball almost never arrives.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hardik Pandya closes out the over well and England are now on the verge of being bowled out again.

Mark Wood is the last batter to walk in for England.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Swing and a miss! Pitched up outside off, angling in, Adil Rashid gets across and swing wildly across the line but misses.

Hardik Pandya to Jofra Archer, Banged away but straight to the fielder! Short of a length and outside off, Archer stays leg side of the ball and smashes it with and open stance, flat and on the bounce to deep cover for only a single.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Rolls his fingers over this ball and serves it full and well wide of the off stump, Rashid gets across and really reaches for it before lofting it over cover for another single.

Hardik Pandya to Jofra Archer, Banged in well short and wide, Jofra Archer reaches out and slaps it off the to end of the bat in front of deep point for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Rashid pre-meditates a bit and gets well wide of the off stump, Pandya fires it in full and in the blockhole. Rashid heaves across but gets an inside edge onto the pads and to point for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, ! Handy runs and the 150 is up for England. Full and around off, Jofra Archer gives the charge and backs away before hammering it square through the cover region for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Bangs in a short one now at the body, Rashid gets hurried but manages to pull it up and over wide mid on and into the deep for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Takes a bit of pace off that one, bowling it from wider on the crease and a bit fuller as well outside off. Adil Rashid swings across the line but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Pitched up full on off, looking to angle it in, Rashid backs away well and carves it over the cover region for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Back of a length and angling it back in from outside off, Rashid hangs back to cut but mistimes it down to backward point.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Full and angling it in on middle and leg, Jofra Archer stays deep in the crease and clubs it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, WIDE! Around the wicket, bangs in a slower bumper that loops over Archer's head for a wide.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jofra Archer, Oh, that one nearly snuck through! Nagging length, quicker too and attacking the stumps, Archer makes room to cut but chops it past the leg stump and down to fine leg for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, ! Nicely done! Fractionally short and wide, Adil Rashid rocks back and cuts it late and behind point for a timely boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jofra Archer, Shorter again on the stumps, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for one.

Adil Rashid walks out to bat next for England.

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, ! RUN OUT! That is catastrophic for England and Brydon Carse who was hitting the ball so well, has to walk back to the hut.

Jofra Archer walks in at number 9 for England.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Overton, ! TIMBER! Back to over the wicket and just too good for Jamie Overton.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, 1 run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, Short of a length and outside off, Brydon Carse rocks back and pounces on the width, cutting it in front of deep point for a couple of runs more.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, darted in at the stumps, Carse blocks it off.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, ! He's done it again!

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, ! The English batters still going after it and Brydon Carse thumps Varun Chakravarthy for a biggie now. The wrong'un, a bit full and outside off, Carse gets across to cover the line and smokes it over long on for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, Another one, angling into the stumps, Jamie Overton pushes it out to cover. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, Quicker one, at the stumps, Overton manages to keep it out. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, Drags the length down, on off, Carse cuts it to deep point for one. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, Short and on middle, Carse pulls it to deep fine for a single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, angling into the stumps, Brydon Carse cuts it very late to backward point for one.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, ! That's smart batting. Full and angling into the stumps, quicker as well. Brydon Carse uses the pace of the ball and opens the face of the bat to steer it to deep third fence for a boundary. 

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, ! Up and over! Full one, on middle and leg, Brydon Carse dances down the track and lofts it nicely over long on for a biggie.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, on middle and leg, Brydon Carse hops back to tuck it down but misses onto his thigh.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, No run.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, 2 runs.

Brydon Carse is the new batter in.

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! CAUGHT! Abhishek Sharma has the last laugh and the debutant after a small cameo has to walk back for 22 (12). 

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! Short and wide outside off, Smith hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary. 

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! A hostile welcome into the attack for Abhishek Sharma! He bowls it short and on middle, Jamie Smith backs away and pumps it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, Full and at the stumps, Jamie Overton plants his front foot across the line and scoops it behind to the right of deep fine leg. Arshdeep Singh does well to mop it up and keep it down to two. 

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Jamie Overton is the new batter in.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, ! CAUGHT! Axar Patel gets his second and England lose half their side for 90 runs. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Full, on off, Liam Livingstone lunges and taps it in front of long on for a run. 12 runs off that over.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Pushed through full and on the pads, Liam Livingstone flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, Cramps the batter with a nagging length, on middle and leg, Jamie Smith tucks it across for a single. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, ! That's huge! Tossed up, on off, Jamie Smith skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it through the line. Clears long off by a long way.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, Drops it short and on off, Smith punches it to deep point for a couple of runs.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, On a dragged length and around off, bouncing a bit extra and Livingstone blocks it off.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, Pushed through flat and around off, Jamie Smith comes down the pitch and pushes it out to covers.

Drinks break! India’s spinners are weaving their magic, and with the crucial dismissal of Jos Buttler, England finds themselves in deep trouble. Liam Livingstone now holds the key and will need to shoulder the responsibility of steadying the innings while aiming to bat till the end. India, on the other hand, will look to maintain their stranglehold, applying pressure and chipping away at the rest of the batting lineup to tighten their grip on the game.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, ! c Tilak Varma b Axar Patel.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, Quicker and fuller, pushed through outside off, Livingstone hits it square through cover-point for a single.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, Excellent running! Axar drops the length short over off, Liam Livingstone advances and clips the ball away into the gap at mid-wicket before racing back for the second run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Pushed through a bit fuller and around off, this one turns away a bit, Jos Buttler backs away and taps it straight to backward point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Quick and flat, around the top of off, Livingstone gets across and plays it down to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Slows it up a touch and floats it around off, Buttler eases it on the up and wide of covers for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Nice and full, fired in on middle, Livingstone clears the front leg and heaves it on the bounce to long on for just a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, ! Swung away! On a fullish length on middle, Livingstone gets a bit across and down on one knee before slogging it wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Tosses it up a bit and bowls it full and wide, Jos Buttler sets up deep in the crease and crunches it down to long off for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Flattens it up and bowls it on a length on off, Buttler backs away and slps it down to long off for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Keeps the length short, bowling it over middle, Buttler presses back and pulls it in front of square leg for a couple of runs in the deep.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, Misses out there! Fractionally short and quick too, angled into the pads, Livingstone looks to hang back and pull but misses it completely and gets hit on the pads again.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Bowled short and sitting up on off, Jos Buttler goes back and across before punching it down to long off for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Quicker one, just back of a length and around off, Livingstone goes deep in his crease and plays it with an angled bat behind point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Way too full now, and angling into middle and leg, Buttler hits the full toss down to long on for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Nagging length, sliding back onto middle, Liam Livingstone presses back and tucks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Liam Livingstone walks out to bat at number 5 for England. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Harry Brook, ! BOWLED'EM! That's gone through and Harry Brook looks perplexed.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, This is bowled full and on off, Buttler takes the front leg out and drives it down to long on for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, A loud appeal for LBW from the bowler but the umpire turns it down. On a length and on middle, angling back into the pads, Buttler looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball just rolls into the leg side and Buttler wants the single but Brook says no. At the last moment, Suryakumar Yadav has gone for the review, interesting! The third umpire is called in and there's nothing on UltraEdge to begin with. Ball Tracking rolls in and t

Change? Yes, Varun Chakravarthy has been tossed the ball now. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Harry Brook, Thows it a bit wide outside the off stump, angling it back in, Harry Brook strides across and plays it out into the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, On the shorter side now and around off, Buttler hops back and nudges it towards mid-wicket for another single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Harry Brook, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Drags the length back, bowling it flatter and around off, Buttler crouches a bit and gets across before tucking it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, ! Jos Buttler looks in pristine touch out there. Bishnoi starts off with a fuller one outside off, angling in and Buttler knows it is the wrong'un, clears the front leg and hammers it back over the bowler's head for a biggie. The 50 comes up for England as well.

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Full, on off, Harry Brook punches it to cover. 

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Four!

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Six!

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, No run.

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Starts with a full one, at the stumps, Harry Brook drives it uppishly to cover and takes a single. 

Change?

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, No run.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, No run.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, ! BANG! Full and outside off, Jos Buttler clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Washington Sundar to Harry Brook, 1 run.

Washington Sundar to Ben Duckett, ! CAUGHT! Washington Sundar makes an immediate impact, striking with his very first ball! Ben Duckett departs after miscuing a shot he usually executes so well, resulting in a slow and disappointed walk back to the pavilion.

Who comes in next?

Washington Sundar comes into the attack now.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! This is some batting! 16 runs come off this over! Back of a length, just outside off, Jos Buttler makes some room and punches it through the covers for a boundary to close the over. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! Latched and Dispatched! Arshdeep Singh rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it full, outside off, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and clubs it straight over mid on for a biggie. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Angling across, on a length, outside off, Jos Buttler tries to reverse scoop it behind but misses. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! Aggression! On a length, on middle and off, Jos Buttler skips down the track and swipes it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, On a good length, around middle and off, Buttler taps it to mid on. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Failed to get the timing on that one did Buttler. Full and on middle, Jos Buttler dances down the track and looks to whip it across but only manages to hit it to mid-wicket for one. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Length, outside off, Jos Buttler walks across and hits it to cover. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Fuler than a good length, on off, Jos pushes it to cover. 

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, Good length, at the hips, Ben Duckett flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single. 

Ouch, that has really rattled Ben Duckett there. That bumper went flush onto the grill of the helmet and the mandatory concussion check will now follow. Duckett seems fine but seems to be signaling to the physio that the left side of his jaw is in a bit of pain. Hopefully, he is fine. A couple of minutes later and everything seems fine and we are good to continue.

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, Ouch! Flush on the helmet!

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, No run.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Hardik Pandya.

Arshdeep Singh to Ben Duckett, 1 run.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Off the blocks straightaway! Fuller than a length and on middle and leg, Butler tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, ! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh get a wicket off the first over and England are rocked early. 

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England walks in at number 3.

Arshdeep Singh to Ben Duckett, Duckett is off the mark too. Not very convincingly though! Good length, on middle and leg, Ben Duckett tries to tuck it across and gets a leading edge that falls square of cover for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Hits the deck hard, on a back of a length, on the hips, Phil Salt swivels to pull but is late on the shot and misses. The ball slips his thigh and rolls behind allowing the batters to scamper a leg bye. 

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, ! Fantastic start for Salt and England! Singh comes from over the wicket and hurls it very full, on middle and leg and gets the ball to tail into the batter, Phil Salt flicks it nicely over mid on for a boundary. 

All in readiness for the game to begin! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of India who have four representatives in the recently announced T20I Team of the Year, 2024 with two of them playing in this series as well. It will be Ben Duckett and Phil Salt who was the only English player in that team of the year to open the innings this evening. And, the ICC T20I Player of the Year, Arshdeep Singh will start off proceedings with the new ball. Let's play...

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith (On debut and in for Jacob Bethell), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse (in for Gus Atkinson), Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.

Jos Butler, the skipper of England says they would have looked to bowl first had they won the toss but will now look to bat well and seize the new opportunity. Mentions that they will have to look to play a bit more aggressively and do better in all departments. Says they will need to assess the conditions quickly and mentions that Jamie Smith will make his debut replacing Jacob Bethell who is unwell and Brydon Carse comes in for Gus Atkinson.

Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India says that they will bowl first and it looks like a good track and they saw some dew while practicing the previous night. Adds that they want to stick to the basics and have the same approach as the last game. Reckons that the fielding department is something that they have been focusing on a bit more and that aspect brings the whole team closer. Informs that Nitish Kumar Reddy is ruled out of the series and Rinku Singh will miss a couple of games as well an

TOSS - India win the coin flip and they have decided to BOWL first.

We are back with India's reply! The umpires are out in the middle and are followed by the English players who spread across the field to take their positions. 

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, the conditions look promising for batting with minimal dew on the ground, giving India plenty of confidence as they gear up to chase this target. The pitch remains favourable, but England won’t go down without a fight. With a defendable total on the board and a hint of momentum from their tail towards the end, they’ll be banking on Adil Rashid to deliver a match-turning spell. All signs point to a thrilling conclusion to this game, so stay tuned as India’s reply is set to unfo

Axar Patel is down for a quick chat. He says that the spinners are being played keeping the track in mind but also the opposition. Adds that they have more pacers in their ranks but with Hardik Pandya being able to bowl with the new ball, it gives them the luxury to play three spinners. Reckons that the target should be chasable as it is a 180-185 sort of a wicket and if the bowlers miss their mark, it is very easy to hit them away.

Even as Buttler stood firm, anchoring the innings with his fluent stroke play, Axar Patel delivered the game-changing moment, dismissing him agonizingly short of a well-deserved half-century. England’s debutant Jamie Smith along with Brydon Carse offered a glimmer of hope, attacking with flair and finding the boundary at will. Yet, England’s all-too-familiar struggle with losing wickets at crucial junctures ultimately proved costly, preventing them from building a formidable total.

Just as it seemed like England might seize control, India’s local spin duo stepped in to flip the script. Washington Sundar made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Ben Duckett, and Varun Chakravarthy followed suit, dismantling Harry Brook’s stumps to halt England’s momentum as India clawed their way back into the game.

Choosing to bowl first, India couldn’t have scripted a better start. Arshdeep Singh struck like lightning in the opening over, sending Phil Salt packing. But England’s captain, Jos Buttler, had other ideas. Walking in with confidence, he lit up the field with a blistering counterattack, peppering the boundaries and leaving Indian bowlers scrambling for answers.

Some crucial late-order runs from England’s tail added a flicker of resistance, but it was India who once again asserted their dominance with a masterful bowling display, restricting the visitors to an underwhelming 165/9. The spinners were nothing short of sensational, spinning a web of deception that dismantled England’s batting lineup and firmly tipped the scales in India’s favour heading into the break.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, A couple of runs to end the first innings! Arshdeep Singh gets the yorker in on the base of leg stump, Jofra Archer stays deep and makes room to heave but miscues it in front of square leg and gets it through the infield. The batters manage to pick up an easy couple of runs and England finish with 165/9 on the board!

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, Back of a length and bowled into the deck outside off, Mark Wood manages to get on top of the bounce and hits it down to covers for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, Over the wicket now, bowled slower and on a good length, angling across the off stump, Wood swings across the line but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Mark Wood, ! Nicely done! Another yorker, on off, but this one dips as well. Mark Wood is almost undone by the lack of pace but does well to open the bat face and glides it wide of short third for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Nails the yorker now at the toes, Archer stays deep and manages to jam it out behind square leg for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Knuckle-ball from Arshdeep, banged in well short and over off. Jofra Archer looks to reach and cut it away but the ball almost never arrives.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hardik Pandya closes out the over well and England are now on the verge of being bowled out again.

Mark Wood is the last batter to walk in for England.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Swing and a miss! Pitched up outside off, angling in, Adil Rashid gets across and swing wildly across the line but misses.

Hardik Pandya to Jofra Archer, Banged away but straight to the fielder! Short of a length and outside off, Archer stays leg side of the ball and smashes it with and open stance, flat and on the bounce to deep cover for only a single.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Rolls his fingers over this ball and serves it full and well wide of the off stump, Rashid gets across and really reaches for it before lofting it over cover for another single.

Hardik Pandya to Jofra Archer, Banged in well short and wide, Jofra Archer reaches out and slaps it off the to end of the bat in front of deep point for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Adil Rashid, Rashid pre-meditates a bit and gets well wide of the off stump, Pandya fires it in full and in the blockhole. Rashid heaves across but gets an inside edge onto the pads and to point for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, ! Handy runs and the 150 is up for England. Full and around off, Jofra Archer gives the charge and backs away before hammering it square through the cover region for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Bangs in a short one now at the body, Rashid gets hurried but manages to pull it up and over wide mid on and into the deep for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Takes a bit of pace off that one, bowling it from wider on the crease and a bit fuller as well outside off. Adil Rashid swings across the line but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Pitched up full on off, looking to angle it in, Rashid backs away well and carves it over the cover region for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Adil Rashid, Back of a length and angling it back in from outside off, Rashid hangs back to cut but mistimes it down to backward point.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Full and angling it in on middle and leg, Jofra Archer stays deep in the crease and clubs it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, WIDE! Around the wicket, bangs in a slower bumper that loops over Archer's head for a wide.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jofra Archer, Oh, that one nearly snuck through! Nagging length, quicker too and attacking the stumps, Archer makes room to cut but chops it past the leg stump and down to fine leg for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, ! Nicely done! Fractionally short and wide, Adil Rashid rocks back and cuts it late and behind point for a timely boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Adil Rashid, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jofra Archer, Shorter again on the stumps, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for one.

Adil Rashid walks out to bat next for England.

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, ! RUN OUT! That is catastrophic for England and Brydon Carse who was hitting the ball so well, has to walk back to the hut.

Jofra Archer walks in at number 9 for England.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Overton, ! TIMBER! Back to over the wicket and just too good for Jamie Overton.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, 1 run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, Short of a length and outside off, Brydon Carse rocks back and pounces on the width, cutting it in front of deep point for a couple of runs more.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, darted in at the stumps, Carse blocks it off.

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, ! He's done it again!

Varun Chakravarthy to Brydon Carse, ! The English batters still going after it and Brydon Carse thumps Varun Chakravarthy for a biggie now. The wrong'un, a bit full and outside off, Carse gets across to cover the line and smokes it over long on for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, Another one, angling into the stumps, Jamie Overton pushes it out to cover. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, Quicker one, at the stumps, Overton manages to keep it out. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, Drags the length down, on off, Carse cuts it to deep point for one. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, Short and on middle, Carse pulls it to deep fine for a single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, angling into the stumps, Brydon Carse cuts it very late to backward point for one.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, ! That's smart batting. Full and angling into the stumps, quicker as well. Brydon Carse uses the pace of the ball and opens the face of the bat to steer it to deep third fence for a boundary. 

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, ! Up and over! Full one, on middle and leg, Brydon Carse dances down the track and lofts it nicely over long on for a biggie.

Axar Patel to Brydon Carse, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, Nagging length, on middle and leg, Brydon Carse hops back to tuck it down but misses onto his thigh.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, No run.

Abhishek Sharma to Brydon Carse, 2 runs.

Brydon Carse is the new batter in.

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! CAUGHT! Abhishek Sharma has the last laugh and the debutant after a small cameo has to walk back for 22 (12). 

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! Short and wide outside off, Smith hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary. 

Abhishek Sharma to Jamie Smith, ! A hostile welcome into the attack for Abhishek Sharma! He bowls it short and on middle, Jamie Smith backs away and pumps it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, Full and at the stumps, Jamie Overton plants his front foot across the line and scoops it behind to the right of deep fine leg. Arshdeep Singh does well to mop it up and keep it down to two. 

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, No run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Overton, 1 run.

Jamie Overton is the new batter in.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, ! CAUGHT! Axar Patel gets his second and England lose half their side for 90 runs. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Full, on off, Liam Livingstone lunges and taps it in front of long on for a run. 12 runs off that over.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Pushed through full and on the pads, Liam Livingstone flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, Cramps the batter with a nagging length, on middle and leg, Jamie Smith tucks it across for a single. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, ! That's huge! Tossed up, on off, Jamie Smith skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it through the line. Clears long off by a long way.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jamie Smith, Drops it short and on off, Smith punches it to deep point for a couple of runs.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, On a dragged length and around off, bouncing a bit extra and Livingstone blocks it off.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jamie Smith, Pushed through flat and around off, Jamie Smith comes down the pitch and pushes it out to covers.

Drinks break! India’s spinners are weaving their magic, and with the crucial dismissal of Jos Buttler, England finds themselves in deep trouble. Liam Livingstone now holds the key and will need to shoulder the responsibility of steadying the innings while aiming to bat till the end. India, on the other hand, will look to maintain their stranglehold, applying pressure and chipping away at the rest of the batting lineup to tighten their grip on the game.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, ! c Tilak Varma b Axar Patel.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, Quicker and fuller, pushed through outside off, Livingstone hits it square through cover-point for a single.

Axar Patel to Liam Livingstone, Excellent running! Axar drops the length short over off, Liam Livingstone advances and clips the ball away into the gap at mid-wicket before racing back for the second run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Pushed through a bit fuller and around off, this one turns away a bit, Jos Buttler backs away and taps it straight to backward point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Quick and flat, around the top of off, Livingstone gets across and plays it down to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Slows it up a touch and floats it around off, Buttler eases it on the up and wide of covers for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Nice and full, fired in on middle, Livingstone clears the front leg and heaves it on the bounce to long on for just a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, ! Swung away! On a fullish length on middle, Livingstone gets a bit across and down on one knee before slogging it wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Tosses it up a bit and bowls it full and wide, Jos Buttler sets up deep in the crease and crunches it down to long off for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Flattens it up and bowls it on a length on off, Buttler backs away and slps it down to long off for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Keeps the length short, bowling it over middle, Buttler presses back and pulls it in front of square leg for a couple of runs in the deep.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, Misses out there! Fractionally short and quick too, angled into the pads, Livingstone looks to hang back and pull but misses it completely and gets hit on the pads again.

Ravi Bishnoi to Liam Livingstone, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Bowled short and sitting up on off, Jos Buttler goes back and across before punching it down to long off for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Quicker one, just back of a length and around off, Livingstone goes deep in his crease and plays it with an angled bat behind point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, Way too full now, and angling into middle and leg, Buttler hits the full toss down to long on for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Liam Livingstone, Nagging length, sliding back onto middle, Liam Livingstone presses back and tucks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Liam Livingstone walks out to bat at number 5 for England. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Harry Brook, ! BOWLED'EM! That's gone through and Harry Brook looks perplexed.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, This is bowled full and on off, Buttler takes the front leg out and drives it down to long on for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Jos Buttler, A loud appeal for LBW from the bowler but the umpire turns it down. On a length and on middle, angling back into the pads, Buttler looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball just rolls into the leg side and Buttler wants the single but Brook says no. At the last moment, Suryakumar Yadav has gone for the review, interesting! The third umpire is called in and there's nothing on UltraEdge to begin with. Ball Tracking rolls in and t

Change? Yes, Varun Chakravarthy has been tossed the ball now. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Harry Brook, Thows it a bit wide outside the off stump, angling it back in, Harry Brook strides across and plays it out into the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, On the shorter side now and around off, Buttler hops back and nudges it towards mid-wicket for another single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Harry Brook, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Drags the length back, bowling it flatter and around off, Buttler crouches a bit and gets across before tucking it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, ! Jos Buttler looks in pristine touch out there. Bishnoi starts off with a fuller one outside off, angling in and Buttler knows it is the wrong'un, clears the front leg and hammers it back over the bowler's head for a biggie. The 50 comes up for England as well.

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Full, on off, Harry Brook punches it to cover. 

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Four!

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Six!

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, No run.

Axar Patel to Harry Brook, Starts with a full one, at the stumps, Harry Brook drives it uppishly to cover and takes a single. 

Change?

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, No run.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, No run.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, ! BANG! Full and outside off, Jos Buttler clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Washington Sundar to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Washington Sundar to Harry Brook, 1 run.

Washington Sundar to Ben Duckett, ! CAUGHT! Washington Sundar makes an immediate impact, striking with his very first ball! Ben Duckett departs after miscuing a shot he usually executes so well, resulting in a slow and disappointed walk back to the pavilion.

Who comes in next?

Washington Sundar comes into the attack now.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! This is some batting! 16 runs come off this over! Back of a length, just outside off, Jos Buttler makes some room and punches it through the covers for a boundary to close the over. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! Latched and Dispatched! Arshdeep Singh rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it full, outside off, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and clubs it straight over mid on for a biggie. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Angling across, on a length, outside off, Jos Buttler tries to reverse scoop it behind but misses. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, ! Aggression! On a length, on middle and off, Jos Buttler skips down the track and swipes it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, On a good length, around middle and off, Buttler taps it to mid on. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Failed to get the timing on that one did Buttler. Full and on middle, Jos Buttler dances down the track and looks to whip it across but only manages to hit it to mid-wicket for one. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Length, outside off, Jos Buttler walks across and hits it to cover. 

Hardik Pandya to Jos Buttler, Fuler than a good length, on off, Jos pushes it to cover. 

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, Good length, at the hips, Ben Duckett flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single. 

Ouch, that has really rattled Ben Duckett there. That bumper went flush onto the grill of the helmet and the mandatory concussion check will now follow. Duckett seems fine but seems to be signaling to the physio that the left side of his jaw is in a bit of pain. Hopefully, he is fine. A couple of minutes later and everything seems fine and we are good to continue.

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, Ouch! Flush on the helmet!

Hardik Pandya to Ben Duckett, No run.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Hardik Pandya.

Arshdeep Singh to Ben Duckett, 1 run.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Off the blocks straightaway! Fuller than a length and on middle and leg, Butler tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, ! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh get a wicket off the first over and England are rocked early. 

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England walks in at number 3.

Arshdeep Singh to Ben Duckett, Duckett is off the mark too. Not very convincingly though! Good length, on middle and leg, Ben Duckett tries to tuck it across and gets a leading edge that falls square of cover for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Hits the deck hard, on a back of a length, on the hips, Phil Salt swivels to pull but is late on the shot and misses. The ball slips his thigh and rolls behind allowing the batters to scamper a leg bye. 

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, ! Fantastic start for Salt and England! Singh comes from over the wicket and hurls it very full, on middle and leg and gets the ball to tail into the batter, Phil Salt flicks it nicely over mid on for a boundary. 

All in readiness for the game to begin! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of India who have four representatives in the recently announced T20I Team of the Year, 2024 with two of them playing in this series as well. It will be Ben Duckett and Phil Salt who was the only English player in that team of the year to open the innings this evening. And, the ICC T20I Player of the Year, Arshdeep Singh will start off proceedings with the new ball. Let's play...

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith (On debut and in for Jacob Bethell), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse (in for Gus Atkinson), Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.

Jos Butler, the skipper of England says they would have looked to bowl first had they won the toss but will now look to bat well and seize the new opportunity. Mentions that they will have to look to play a bit more aggressively and do better in all departments. Says they will need to assess the conditions quickly and mentions that Jamie Smith will make his debut replacing Jacob Bethell who is unwell and Brydon Carse comes in for Gus Atkinson.

Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India says that they will bowl first and it looks like a good track and they saw some dew while practicing the previous night. Adds that they want to stick to the basics and have the same approach as the last game. Reckons that the fielding department is something that they have been focusing on a bit more and that aspect brings the whole team closer. Informs that Nitish Kumar Reddy is ruled out of the series and Rinku Singh will miss a couple of games as well an

TOSS - India win the coin flip and they have decided to BOWL first.