Jason Roy’s magnificent 67 was the key factor in England notching up a good score of 198/9. However, Rohit Sharma was the star and his 89-run stand with Virat Kohli put India on course for a win. After Kohli fell for 43, Rohit stepped up and he was well supported by Hardik Pandya. Rohit notched up his third century and along with Pandya’s blitz, helped India win the match by seven wickets and win the series 2-1. Get highlights of India vs England, 3rd T20 in Bristol here. (SCORECARD)
That is all from us here. The ODI series is after this and it promises to be another keen contest. Virat Kohli: At one stage we thought they’d end up getting 225-230. But the character they showed, that’s something we’re very proud of. Just hit our areas better I guess. We have the qualities to bowl wicket-taking deliveries as well. 25-30 runs in this format can be massive. Pandya is a really good all-round cricketer. He’s confident with his skills with bat and ball. The way he came back after his first over is what you want to see as a captain. Was difficult for the bowlers. We enjoyed ourselves as batsmenEoin Morgan: Roy and Buttler prove a dominant force at the top, we didn’t do their platform justice. Faltered in execution. Normally it’s one of the best parts of our game. On a small ground on a flat wicket we’re expected to score more than that. Difficult to defend on grounds like this.
Rohit Sharma, Man of the Match and Man of the Series: I like to be calm, not to panic too much. I know once you’re there, you can make it up later. Always important to try and assess the bowlers as well. With four fielders inside, there’s always that option to take chances. Pandya has done that for few years now. More often than not he’ll play such innings in the back end. The way he bowled gave him confidence. He’s a fearless individual.
Hardik Pandya ends the match in style by blasting a full ball to long on for a boundary. Earlier, Rohit Sharma notches up his third century in this format, making him the second man since Colin Munro to achieve this feat. India win by seven wickets and clinch the series 2-1. Splendid performance from India and they have started the tour on a high.
Sensational stuff from Hardik Pandya. After Rohit Sharma paddles a full ball to fine leg for a boundary, Pandya follows up with a six over long off and two boundaries. Willey concedes 20 runs in his over and India on the cusp of a series win.
Rohit gets to his 16th fifty off just 28 balls as he gloves a short ball from Ben Stokes to the fine leg fence. Superb knock and India will be hoping he continues in the same vein.
Virat Kohli starts well with a glanced boundary to fine leg but Ben Stokes pulls things back with a splendid over in which he gives away just two runs.
Brilliant catch from Chris Jordan. After Rahul flamingo-pulls a short ball from Ball over deep backward square leg, he once again lofts a full ball over wide long on, Jordan runs back and takes a diving catch just near the boundary. Sensational stuff. Rohit finds the boundary again but Rahul brings up the team fifty in just 4.5 overs with a swivel-pull off Liam Plunkett. At this stage, India are matching England on the run-rate.Splendid stuff from Rohit Sharma. Two sixes off Chris Jordan, one a brilliant lofted shot over long on in typical Rohit fashion and a second a pull over deep square leg has given India the perfect platform.
Fantastic work from Rohit Sharma as he goes past 2000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals. He will hold the key here s India look to score at a healthy rate.
Rohit in fine touch as he pummels two fours off Jake Ball, one a pull past short fine leg and another a flick to the deep square leg fence. But, the bowler redeems himself in the field. Willey bowls a full ball on the pads and Dhawan flicks it to short fine leg where Ball dives to his left to take a brilliant catch Excellent first over for India. After getting beaten for two balls by David Willey, Rohit Sharma breaks the shackles with a flicked six over deep mid wicket. Shikhar Dhawan follows it up with a punched four through extra cover. MS Dhoni takes five catches, making him the first wicketkeeper to achieve this feat in Twenty20 Internationals. England have ended on 198/9 at Bristol, considering the start they got, they should have reached 220. India have pulled things back well here.