Tilak Varma’s fighting knock hands India win over England

The Indian men’s cricket team pulled off a close two-wicket victory over England in the second T20 International (T20I) of the five-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, England posted 165/9 in their 20 overs. Skipper Jos Buttler scored a fluent 45 off 30 while Axar Patel (2/32) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/38) picked up two wickets for the world champions.

In reply, India were in a spot of bother after losing half their side inside 10 overs. However, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 72 off 55 helped India chase down the target in 19.2 overs.

With the win, world No. 1 India have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against the third-ranked England. India had won the first T20I by seven wickets and will take on England in the third match of the series on Tuesday.

Earlier, England’s innings got off to a shaky start with both openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett walking back after being dismissed in single digits.

Captain Jos Buttler looked good for his 45 off 30 but was outfoxed by Axar Patel in the 10th over.

England were 78/4 at the halfway stage and 94/5 after 12 overs with dangerous Liam Livingstone also back in the pavilion.

Cameos from Jamie Smith (22 off 12) and Brydon Carse (31 off 17) allowed England to score 71 runs from the final eight overs.

India, who bowled 14 overs of spin, began their chase in a solid fashion with Abhishek Sharma striking three boundaries in the first over bowled by Jofra Archer. However, Mark Wood trapped Abhishek Sharma leg before wicket in the next over.

Sanju Samson and India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav were also dismissed in quick succession with the hosts being 59/3 at the end of the powerplay.

While the required rate never went out of reach, the wickets of Dhruv Jurel and Hardik Pandya affected India’s chase as they were reduced to 79/5 at the 10-over mark.

Tilak Varma got good support from Washington Sundar, who played well for his 19-ball 26. However, once the 38-run partnership was broken, Tilak Varma had to fight a lone battle.

India were 126/7 in 15 overs with 40 needed of 30 balls. Tilak Varma completed his 50 with a six off Jofra Archer in the following over and stitched a 20-run partnership with Arshdeep Singh to take India closer.

After Arshdeep Singh holed out in the deep. Tilak Varma was supported by Ravi Bishnoi’s sensible 9 off 5, which included two boundaries, and went into the final over with six runs needed.

Tilak Varma stole two runs on the leg side before finishing off the chase with a boundary off the next ball.

IND vs ENG T20 2025 2nd match brief scores: England 165/9 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 45; Axar Patel 2/32) lost to India 166/8 in 19.2 overs (Tilak Varma 72*; Brydon Carse 3/29) by two wickets.

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