Synopsis
In a stellar debut performance, Harshit Rana took 3-33 as a concussion substitute, leading India to a 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20I. He expressed that it was a dream debut, contributing to India's 3-1 series win at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.Key Takeaways
- Harshit Rana debuted in T20I with a 3-33 performance.
- Rana's entry as a concussion substitute was pivotal.
- India won the match and secured the series 3-1.
- Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube contributed significantly to the innings.
- England collapsed after a strong start.
Pune, Jan 31 (NationPress) Harshit Rana, following a remarkable debut performance of 3-33 in his first T20I, expressed, "It is still a dream debut for me" as India secured a series victory 3-1 with a 15-run win over England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday night.
Rana’s late entry as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube turned out to be pivotal, as he claimed three wickets for 33 runs, disrupting England’s middle and lower order precisely when they appeared to gain momentum in their pursuit of 182.
"It is still a dream debut for me. When Dube returned, after two overs I was informed I would step in as the concussion substitute. This isn't just about this series; I have long awaited a chance to showcase my skills and prove my worth. Having performed well in the IPL, I aimed to replicate that here," Rana stated after the match.
Earlier in the match, India found itself in dire straits after England’s Saqib Mahmood made history with a triple-wicket maiden, the first-ever in men’s T20 internationals. He dismissed Sanju Samson (1), Tilak Varma (0), and Suryakumar Yadav (0) in rapid succession, leaving India at 12/3 within two overs. During the early collapse, Hardik Pandya (53) and Shivam Dube (53) revitalized India’s innings with a crucial 88-run partnership that took the hosts to a competitive 181/9.
England’s openers, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, launched an aggressive onslaught, capitalizing on India’s seamers during the Power-play. Duckett was particularly fierce, sweeping and reverse-sweeping the spinners effortlessly, racing to 39 off just 19 balls. England appeared dominant at 62/0 in six overs.
However, the introduction of Ravi Bishnoi altered the match's trajectory. He dismissed Duckett on the last ball of the Power-play, sparking an England collapse. Shortly thereafter, Axar Patel cleaned up Salt (23) with a skidding delivery, and Bishnoi struck again to send England captain Jos Buttler back for merely 2 runs, leaving England at 67/3 in eight overs.
As England lost their grip, Harry Brook took charge, displaying confidence against India’s pacers. He reached a fighting fifty off 26 balls, maintaining England’s challenge. Just when England appeared to regain control, Varun Chakravarthy produced a game-changing over, removing Brook (51) and Brydon Carse in quick succession. Making his debut under dramatic circumstances, Rana wasted no time making an impact, striking immediately to dismiss Liam Livingstone (9) with a sharp bouncer that induced an edge to the keeper.
As the required run rate escalated, England’s lower order faltered. Jacob Bethell (6) misjudged a slower delivery, sending it straight to Suryakumar Yadav at long-on, and in the subsequent over, Ravi Bishnoi cleaned up Jofra Archer with a ripping leg-break. Rana returned to conclude the innings, removing Jamie Overton in his final over, sealing a dream debut with figures of 3/33. Arshdeep Singh then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Saqib Mahmood, ensuring India's 15-run victory.
With this triumph, India clinched the five-match series 3-1, heading into the final T20I at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with the series already secured.
