Tilak brilliance lead India to a thrilling 2 wkt win over England in 2nd T20I , India lead series 2-0

 

After triumphing at Eden Gardens, Team India secured yet another victory, this time at Chennai’s spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium. The Indian spinners showcased their dominance once more, but it was Tilak Varma’s match-winning innings that stood out. Despite the challenging pitch, India managed to edge out England, winning with four balls to spare and taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

Much like the first T20I, Arshdeep Singh struck early for India. He removed Phil Salt in the very first over, exploiting Salt’s weakness against bouncers. Salt departed for just 4 runs, attempting a pull shot. Ben Duckett followed soon after, falling for 3 runs.

However, Jos Buttler stood tall amidst the early collapse. The England captain looked like he was batting on a different surface, finding boundaries with ease while others struggled. His innings steadied England and ensured the run rate didn’t drop. Buttler’s dismissal for 45 off Axar Patel’s delivery was a turning point, as England lost momentum.

England’s middle order continued to disappoint. Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone failed to contribute significantly, replicating their poor form from Eden Gardens. Jamie Smith, playing in this match, showed some promise with a few big hits but couldn’t make a substantial impact.

Indian spinners once again proved unplayable. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar bowled a combined 14 overs, conceding just 118 runs while taking six wickets. Their consistent pressure prevented England from capitalizing on their starts.

Brydon Carse provided a late flourish for England, scoring a quick 31 off 17 balls. His knock ensured England reached a competitive total of 165, giving their bowlers something to defend.

India’s chase began on a shaky note. Opener Abhishek Sharma, the hero of the previous match, managed only 12 runs. Sanju Samson fell cheaply for 5. The struggles continued as skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who had been dismissed for a duck in the first match, could only manage 12 runs before being bowled by Carse.

England’s pacers adapted well, using a shorter length that made strokeplay difficult for the Indian batters. The dismissals of Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, and even the in-form Washington Sundar reflected their inability to counter this strategy.

At 78 for 5, India was in deep trouble. During this critical phase, Washington Sundar was dropped by Adil Rashid off Mark Wood’s bowling. The missed chance proved costly as Sundar went on to score 18 runs in that over, easing the pressure on India.

Tilak Varma demonstrated immense maturity under pressure, guiding India to victory with an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls. Early in his innings, he capitalized on the pace of England’s bowlers, hitting innovative 360-degree shots. As wickets fell around him, Tilak shifted gears, anchoring the innings and allowing Sundar to play more aggressively.

After Sundar and Axar Patel’s dismissals, all eyes were on Tilak. Despite the mounting pressure, he maintained his composure, rotating the strike and finding boundaries when needed. With four balls remaining, Tilak sealed the win, carrying India home and stamping his authority as a rising star.

India now leads the series 2-0, thanks to the brilliance of Tilak Varma and the relentless Indian spinners.