Xtra Time Web Desk: England wicketkeeper batsman Josh Buttler produced a brilliant knock (83 off 52 balls) to guide his side to a convincing 8 wickets win over India in the 3rd T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday. Buttler’s knock overshadowed a fine effort from India captain Virat Kohli (77 from 46 balls) as England took a 2-1 lead in the five match T20I series.
England captain Eoin Morgan playing in his 100th T20 match won an important toss and elected to bowl first. Mark Wood, coming back from injury produced an outstanding opening spell, sending both Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul inside the first powerplay. Wood (3/31) got a tremendous support from Chris Jordan (2/35) as England restricted India to 157/6.
Chasing a target of 158, England did not have the greatest of starts, losing opener Jason Roy. But Jos Buttler (83) and Johny Bairstow (40 from 28) batted sensibly to take England home with 10 balls to spare. Buttler in the Powerplay pounced on Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal in successive overs and England were never in danger of falling behind the run-rate after that. He played the pacers and spinners with comforting ease, playing reverse slog sweeps interspersed between the lofted straight hits into the empty stands. Buttler’s knock was studded with five fours and four sixes.
More than the Buttler’s blade, the difference between two sides was the sheer pace generated by England pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
The two sides will return to the same venue for the fourth T20I on Thursday.