Hardik Pandya's efforts fall short as India loses to England by 26 runs

India faced a disappointing defeat in the third T20I against England, with the visitors claiming their first win of the series. England's clinical bowling performance stifled India's chase, cutting the hosts' lead in the five-match series to 2-1.

England's Resurgence

England opened their account on this tour with a 26-run victory, scoring 171 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The innings was propelled by a late charge from Liam Livingstone, who scored 43 off 24 balls, and solid contributions from Jos Buttler and Ben Duckett. Despite a shaky middle order, England managed to recover from a precarious position at 87/2 to post a competitive total.

India's Struggles

In response, India struggled significantly during their chase. The hosts found themselves in trouble early on, tottering at 78/4 after just 10 overs. The Indian batsmen failed to find their rhythm, going nearly eight overs without hitting a boundary between the seventh and fifteenth overs. Hardik Pandya's efforts were commendable, but they were not enough to steer the team to victory.

Bowling Brilliance

England’s bowling attack was led by Jamie Overton, who took three crucial wickets, while spinner Adil Rashid's exceptional figures of 1/15 played a pivotal role in dismantling India's batting lineup. Varun Chakravarthy shone for India with a remarkable five-wicket haul (5/24), but it wasn't sufficient to change the course of the match.

Series Outlook

With this win, England has reignited their hopes in the series. India will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the fourth T20I, aiming to secure the series at home. The upcoming matches promise to be thrilling as both teams vie for supremacy.