Adil Rashid’s tight spell helps England beat India by 26 runs in Rajkot, keeping T20 series alive
England beat India by 26 runs in the third men’s T20 international in Rajkot, narrowing the series gap and staying alive in the contest. England posted a competitive total despite a late wobble, while Adil Rashid’s economical spell and timely wickets stalled India’s chase.
Match snapshot: England keep the series alive
England secured a 26-run win over India in the third men’s T20 international in Rajkot, a result that kept the series alive and shifted pressure onto the remaining games. England’s bowlers combined control with wickets at key moments, preventing India from building sustained momentum in the chase.
While England’s innings included strong contributions at the top, it also featured a wobble that brought India back into the contest. However, England’s final total proved enough once their bowlers executed disciplined plans during the middle overs.
Rashid’s role: control in the middle overs
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid played a central role by keeping scoring in check and striking at a crucial moment. His spell squeezed India’s middle order, increasing the asking rate and forcing riskier shots as the chase progressed.
England complemented that control with pace and fielding intensity, including key breakthroughs that stopped India from setting up the kind of finishing platform needed in a chase of this scale.
What it means for the series
The win reduced England’s deficit and ensured the series remained competitive heading into the next fixture. For India, the match underlined how quickly a chase can slip when the middle overs are strangled and the required rate climbs beyond comfort.
For England, the performance reaffirmed the value of bowling variety on Indian pitches and the importance of staying composed even after mid-innings setbacks with the bat.