India v England LIVE: T20 result and latest cricket reaction as Sharma blasts hosts to victory
England face the world champions in Brendon McCullum’s first match in charge of the white-ball side
England suffered a heavy defeat to India in the first of a five-match T20 series in Kolkata as Jos Buttler’s side paid for a subpar batting effort.
The captain was a lone ranger as the rest of his teammates succumbed to a scintillating spell of new-ball bowling from Arshdeep Singh and the wiles of India’s spin trio. A total of 132 all out was never likely to be enough at Eden Gardens with the outfield rapid, the surface true and dew descending - and so it proved as the hosts blasted to victory. Abhishek Sharma was the star, showing off his range of hitting with a 34-ball 79 that included eight sixes with Gus Atkinson taking particular punishment.
The match was England Test coach Brendon McCullum’s first in charge since taking the white ball reins. Yet more struggles against the turning ball for his side will be reason to fret both with the rest of the series to come and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on 19 February and will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Re-live all of the action from Eden Gardens below:
Abhishek Sharma speaks after his brilliant 79
"I wanted to express myself, special mention to captain and coach, the freedom they have given us as youngsters is tremendous. It was sticking a bit, double-paced, but the way our bowlers bowled was good, thought we'd chase 160-170.
“Sanju and I talk as partners, I enjoy at the other end. When I came for the first time in the India team, my plan was simple, play like I played in IPL. But never seen an environement like this, express yourself, hit your shots, even from the first ball. I practice my trigger movements before the match, I knew they'd bowl short and check my patience."
India win by seven wickets with 43 balls to spare!
A little bit of luck for Tilak Varma as a misjudged slog flicks over the head of Phil Salt, but that’ll do it for India! A comprehensive victory set up by their bowling attack and finished off by a masterclass in T20 striking from Abhishek Sharma.
India 127-3; Varma 14, Pandya 2 (12 overs)
Hardik Pandya arrives with India two hits away. A top edge lands safely to leave six required as Mark Wood charges up for what may be the final over...
OUT! Abhishek Sharma ct. Brook b Rashid 79 (India 125-3, 11.5 overs)
That one does land in the hands. Trying to hurry to the finish, Abhishek Sharma comes down the track but doesn’t connect as intended, sending it down to long off where Harry Brook gathers comfortably. But what a knock - 79 off 34 balls with five 4s and eight 6s.
India 125-2; Varma 14, Abhishek 79 (11.4 overs)
England just can’t seem to halt this charge. Abhishek Sharma lofts Adil Rashid for six before Jacob Bethell lets a difficult diving chance slip through his fingers. He’s a good fielder and made excellent ground to get there, but couldn’t grasp it.
India 116-2; Varma 14, Abhishek 71 (11 overs)
Poor Gus Atkinson. The England seamer just looks totally out of sorts, his pace down, his attempted answers to India’s firepower proved rapidly incorrect by some more delicious striking. A wide yorker gets him out of the over but he’s gone for 38 from two and, with 17 required, may not get another.
India 106-2; Varma 9, Abhishek 66 (10.1 overs)
Well this is rather resembling a traditional Eden Gardens innings under the lights - is there time for a twist?
Probably not. A glorious drive over mid off for six from Abhishek Sharma!
India 100-2; Varma 9, Abhishek 60 (10 overs)
Liam Livingstone on and bowling off spin with two southpaws at the crease. An inside-out drive from Abhishek Sharma for four keeps them rumbling along.
India 93-2; Varma 8, Abhishek 54 (9 overs)
A decent comeback from Jamie Overton, ever up for it having jawed a few times with the opposition during the Big Bash. Still ten from it, though, as England’s hopes fade into the Kolkata night.