Bethell, Brook star as England chase down 191 for 1-0 lead
England shrugged off India's blistering start and a fearless debut from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to seal a four-wicket win in Manchester, with Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 76 steering the chase after Harry Brook's explosive counterattack set it up.
India's 190/7 was built around an enterprising 50-run opening stand between Sooryavanshi, the youngest player to represent India in men's internationals, and Abhishek Sharma. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan added a half-century stand through the middle. But England squeezed the scoring once the ball got old, reducing India from 130/2 to 167/6 before Tilak Varma's late assault gave the visitors a competitive total.
Will Jacks broke through by luring Sooryavanshi out of his crease for a stumping, and Sam Curran removed Abhishek for 43 off the final ball of the Powerplay. Iyer and Kishan rebuilt with a fluent 65-run stand before Dawson outfoxed Iyer. Curran's pace variations accounted for both Shivam Dube and Kishan. Tilak Varma then dismantled Archer in the final over with two towering sixes and a clever boundary, collecting 23 runs from the last seven deliveries.
India's defence began perfectly as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for ducks in the opening over, leaving England 1/2. Brook responded by tearing into Arshdeep for 27 runs, hitting four boundaries and three sixes across a breathtaking 39 off 15 balls. Although Axar Patel removed Brook, the damage was done.
Bethell then took over, adding 83 runs for the fourth wicket with Tom Banton. Arshdeep returned to dismiss Banton while Varun Chakaravarthy trapped Will Jacks lbw, but the chase turned in the 17th over. Ravi Bishnoi overstepped twice, handing Bethell successive free hits that disappeared for six before another six and a four completed a 29-run over that sealed the contest. Bishnoi finished with three no-balls, becoming the first spinner from a Full Member nation to bowl as many in a men's T20I.
Harshit Rana removed Sam Curran late but Bethell finished unbeaten on 76 off 46 as England completed the chase with an over to spare.
Brief Scores: India 190/7 (Ishan Kishan 49; Sam Curran 3-33) lost to England 191/6 in 19 overs (Jacob Bethell 76*; Arshdeep Singh 3-40) by four wickets
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