HIGHLIGHTS England vs India, India in England 5 T20I Series 2026, 3rd T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of England. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are all set to open the innings for India. Sam Curran is off the field to begin with, and Jordan Cox is on as a substitute fielder. Jofra Archer is redy to setam in with the new ball. Let's play...

... The Run Chase ...

Needing a record chase - India opted to bowl first but were under the pump a bit. They did well to pull things back after the Powerplay as the likes of Prince Yadav and later on Harshit Rana picked up wickets at crucial junctures. They were off the boil with their fielding and the bowling wasn't all that great but they did end with a couple of decent overs, wresting back some momentum. Righto, 202 is what India need to pick up their first win of the series and a lot will ride on the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Stay tuned, as the exciting run chase is up next.

Cameos up top and at the end - It was Jos Buttler who set things ablaze at the top, mustering up 36 quick runs. After his dismissal, England looked to steady the ship, but once things settled down, Phil Salt roared back to form with a half-century. However, it was an unbeaten 41 off 24 balls from Sam Curran that really propelled the hosts over the 200-run mark.

England go past 200 - Another sublime display of hitting from the hosts and they have put on a solid total of 201 runs on the board. India had a few lapses in the field, and the slower ones didn't quite work out for them today, but it isn't a target that's out of their reach.

Arshdeep Singh to Sam Curran, England finish with 201/7. Very full by Arshdeep, on off. Curran stays leg side of the ball and squeezes it away past extra cover. Shreyas Iyer tidies up after getting around from long off. A couple of runs to end the innings.

Arshdeep Singh to Sam Curran, OUT! JOFRA ARCHER IS RUN OUT! They had to go for the second to keep Sam Curran on strike. A bit of tail on this yorker from Arshdeep, on middle. Curran digs it out in front of long on and attempts the second run. Shreyas Iyer charges in off the ropes and throws it on the bounce at the bowling end. Arshdeep collects the ball and breaks the stumps to catch Archer short of his ground. England are 7 down for 199 with one legal ball left in the innings.

Arshdeep Singh to Sam Curran, Well bowled! At 138 kph, Arshdeep nails the wide yorker. Curran lets it go but the ball sneaks inside the tramline.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, Low full toss, on middle and leg. Jofra hits it down to long on for one.

Arshdeep Singh to Jofra Archer, FOUR! Not where Archer intended but they all count. This is pushed across the right-hander, on a length. Archer has an ungainly swipe across the line with all his might. The ball leaves him with the angle to take the outside edge and it flies over shorr third.

Jofra Archer is the next batter in.

Arshdeep Singh to Will Jacks, OUT! WILL JACKS IS RUN OUT! Arshdeep attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, on middle and leg. Jacks swings at it and gets it away in front of square on the leg side. Will is a bit indecisive but eventually commits to the second run and that hesitation leads to his downfall. Axar Patel swoops in, picks the ball up with his left hand and fires in a throw at the batting end. Ishan Kishan collects it on the bounce before breaking the stumps. The third umpire is called into action. The replays find Jacks to be short despite his attempt to stretch out and slide his bat in.

Is that gone? There's an umpire's review for a run out at the batter's end and replays quickly confirm that Will Jacks is well short of his crease. OUT!

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, This is into the wicket, on middle and leg, no pace offered. Curran swings early for the pull and wears it on the midriff. Just 7 runs from the 19th over.

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, Nails the yorker, on middle. Curran gets his bat down and squeezes it out wide of mid-wicket. Before Shreyas Iyer can get in from the deep Curran comes back for the second run.

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, Slower one, into the wicket, on middle. Curran hangs back before pulling it through mid-wicket for another brace.

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, DROPPED! Harshit Rana shells it. Prince takes pace off and bowls it on a good length, on middle and leg. Curran clears the front leg and has a swipe across the line. It is skied towards deep mid-wicket, where Rana runs to his right and is on the move when the ball hits his palm and as a result, he can't cling on. Two runs taken.

Prince Yadav to Will Jacks, Tailing back in, full and on middle. Will smears it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Prince Yadav to Will Jacks, A swing and a miss! Full and in the channel. Jacks swings to force it through the off side but misses.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, Very full at pace, outside off. Curran gets his hands through the line of the ball and drills it between cover and long off for a couple of runs more. 15 runs off Rana's final over. Ends with figures of 4-0-40-2.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, Wide! Attempts the wide yorker but sprays it beyond the tramline. Sam lets it go.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, Fuller now but it is another slower one, on off. Curran drags it away to the left of long on for a brace.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, FOUR! Smashed! Rana bowls the off-cutter, this sits up to be hit at waist height. Sam cashes in on the width as he stands tall and spanks it past extra cover.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, Pace off, angled in, on a back of a length, on off. Curran plays the short-arm jab wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, Slower one, on a back of a length, chopped down to point.

Harshit Rana to Sam Curran, FOUR! Gets it away. Rana steams in from around the wicket for the hat-trick ball and goes searching for the yorker. Ends up bowling a low full toss on off. Curran opens the bat face and steers it past short third for a four.

Axar Patel to Will Jacks, SIX! Banged away! Speared in, fuller and on middle. Jacks gets it right in the slot and he does not miss out. He gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep over mid-wicket. 18 runs off the over.

Axar Patel to Will Jacks, This is fired on a length, around the tramline. Jacks lets it go, thinking it is a wide but does not get the signal he was looking for. The umpire gestures that Jacks had moved towards the off side.

Axar Patel to Will Jacks, SIX! Dispatched with disdain. For the second time in the over, Axar drags it down, on middle. Jacks rocks onto the back foot in a flash and pulls it in front of square for half a dozen.

Axar Patel to Will Jacks, Sliding on with the arm, on off and middle. Jacks looks to nudge it away on the leg side but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball goes nowhere.

Will Jacks walks out to bat next.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, OUT! CAUGHT! Phil Salt tries to repeat the dose but it does not come off for him this time. Axar slows it down and bowls it fuller and wider on off. Salt puts his head down and has a swing at it. It is sliced off the outer half to backward point, where Arshdeep Singh takes a dolly. End of a fine knock by Salt.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, SIX! Put away with ease! Axar errs in his length as he drags it down slightly, on off. Salt stands tall and hammers it away over long on for a biggie.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sam Curran, Two is the call, and they get it. Floated up, on the pads. Curran presses forward and flicks it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a brace.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Missed out! A bit too short by Varun, on middle. Salt swivels for the pull but ends up swinging a bit too hard at it and loses his shape. Mishits it through square leg for one. The 150 is up for England.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sam Curran, Pulls the length back and tucks the batter up for room. Sam pats it to long on and crosses over.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sam Curran, FOUR! Width offered and Curran cashes in! Flighted up, full and wide on off. Sam reaches out and gets low to crack the drive wide of long off. Tilak Varma dives to his right but in vain.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sam Curran, Sliding across, on a good length. Curran taps it to the left of the bowler.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Drops it short, on middle. Salt punches it through covers for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Calls of 'catch it,' but it goes on the bounce. Very full and wide outside off, Salt reaches out and slices it on the full, but just short of Shivam Dube at deep third. Single taken.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, FOUR! Another full ball around leg stump, Salt moves across and exposes the leg stump but manages to whip it through backward square leg for a boundary. 14 off the over so far.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, WIDE! Arshdeep goes for the wide yorker but just spills it beyond the tramline. Salt fails to reach it.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, SIX! Picked up and dispatched. Right in the slot and on the pads, Phil Salt moves inside the line of the ball and hoicks it behind square leg for a biggie.

Arshdeep Singh to Sam Curran, Back of a length, angled into the hips, nudged away through mid-wicket for a run more.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, A yorker now, on off stump, squeezed away using the wrists and towards deep square leg for another single.

Arshdeep Singh to Sam Curran, Singh lands it full and outside the line of leg stump, Curran clips it through square leg and turns the strike over.

Arshdeep Singh (2-0-12-0) is back.

Axar Patel to Sam Curran, Tidy from Axar, 6 runs off it. Fullish length around off, punched away off the back foot to long off for one more.

Axar Patel to Sam Curran, Fractionally short again, darted across off, Sam Curran makes room and cuts it in front of point for a couple of runs in the deep.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, FIFTY for Phil Salt, a very gritty one as well. Short and wide outside off, cut away firmly to deep point for a single. Salt's 9th T20I half century.

Axar Patel to Sam Curran, Nice and full, on the pads, clipped away down to long on for a run.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, A bit of a drag down, angled into the body. Salt rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for just a single.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, Darted in at the stumps, Salt stays leg side of the ball and blocks it off.

Axar Patel has been brought back.

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, FOUR! That's gone to the fence in a canter. Short ball on off, sits up a bit. Sam Curran plays the short-arm jab, timing it sweetly and past the mid-wicket fielder in a flash for four more runs.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Full again, around off, squeezed away towards cover for a single.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Attempted yorker on off, turns out to be a low full toss. Salt makes room and opens the bat face, slicing it to the left of backward point, where Axar Patel makes a sharp stop.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, FOUR! Swung away with ease. A short ball around hip height, slower too. Salt swivels and pulls it flat to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

Prince Yadav to Sam Curran, Around the wicket to the left-hander, fullish length and in the channel. Sam Curran just guides it down to deep third for a single.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Fuller length, targeting the off pole, jammed down to mid off for a single.

Sam Curran makes his way out to bat. Prince Yadav returns to the attack. 2-0-12-2 so far for Prince.

Harshit Rana to Tom Banton, OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Harshit Rana and he's ecstatic. This is banged in short and outside off, Tom Banton rises with the bounce and ramps it high down to deep third. There's not much distance on it and Varun Chakaravarthy gobbles up the simple chance. What a momentum-shifting over from Rana, 7 runs and 2 wickets off it. Harshit will be on a hat trick at the start of his next over.

The new batter is Tom Banton.

Harshit Rana to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! Nelson strikes for England and India have a big breakthrough. Harshit Rana stays full, bowling it in and around off. Jacob Bethell lunges to the off side and looks to whack it away but mistimes it high in the air. The ball lobs over the mid-wicket region, where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi comes in from the deep and pouches it safely. England are 111/3.

Harshit Rana to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Nearly went the full distance. Pitched up well wide of the off stump, Bethell picks the length early, goes on one knee and lifts it high over mid off for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Phil Salt, Dug in well short and at the batter, Salt backs away and hits it like a tennis forehand down to the left of long on for another run.

Harshit Rana to Jacob Bethell, Oh, nearly chopped on! Rana bashes the hard length, angling it in from outside off, Jacob Bethell looks to cut but gets an inside edge past the stumps and to short fine leg for one.

Harshit Rana to Phil Salt, Back of a length, in and around off, Salt dabs it down through the off side and picks up a single.

Pace back on through Harshit Rana.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, Fired in flatter and outside off, cut away off the bottom edge down to backward point for a run.

Axar Patel to Jacob Bethell, Fractionally short around middle and leg, swung away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Axar Patel to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Should have been stopped. Tossed up on leg stump, Jacob Bethell sits down and sweeps it away firmly and well behind square leg. Shivam Dube runs to his left from deep backward square leg and dives but lets the ball through. 100 up for England.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, Short ball outside off, scythed away to deep cover for a single.

Axar Patel to Phil Salt, FOUR! Good shot. A bit of air given, fuller and on off. Salt extends his hands and goes inside out over cover with ease for a boundary.

Axar Patel to Jacob Bethell, Short and angled across. Jacob whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! A very well-fought first 10 overs, but England will feel they are ahead in the game. Phil Salt is well set and is looking to take on the bowlers. India will hope that a break in play also breaks England's momentum.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, MISFIELD, FOUR! That should have been stopped. Going away with the angle, dropped short. Salt gets the width to work with, and he slams it to the right of deep point. Prince Yadav is quick across the turf in the deep but does not read the spin and overruns the ball. It goes past his left thigh for four more. 18 runs off the over.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. Chakaravarthy tries to slide it across but ends up serving it right in the arc, on middle. Salt puts his head down and swings through the line, smacking it to the left of long on.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Slows it down and drags the length back, on middle. Phil wrists it to the left of deep mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Jacob Bethell, Tossed up slightly, on off. Bethell whips it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Pushed through this time, fuller and on middle. Salt swipes it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, SIX! All the way! Is this the shot that gets Salt going? A bit too short by Varun Chakaravarthy, on middle. Salt needs no second invitation as he presses back and pummels it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Prince Yadav to Jacob Bethell, Nearly went to hand and there was a run out chance as well. This is on a back of a length, off-pace delivery, on middle. Bethell plays the short-arm jab but it goes uppishly and lands in front of Axar Patel at mid-wicket. Phil Salt was out of his crease as he tried to sneak in a single. Axar has a shy at the bowling end but misses.

Prince Yadav to Jacob Bethell, Wide! Serves a bumper but it is down leg. Bethell lets it be.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Pace off now, dug in short, on off. Salt waits on it before dragging the pull to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Pushes the length up and finds a bit of an inward shape, on off. Salt drives it to cover.

Prince Yadav to Jacob Bethell, From around the wicket, angled in at the hips. Bethell nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Jacob Bethell walks out to bat at number 4.

Prince Yadav to Harry Brook, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Prince Yadav strikes right back. A bit more effort behind this ball by Prince, on a shortish length, on middle. Brook does not quite go for the pull, but it is more a swipe across the line. There is a bit of lift off the deck and Brook only gets the height and not the distance. Abhishek Sharma settles under the skier at deep mid-wicket, and even though the ball pops out of his grasp a bit, he clings onto it close to his chest while falling on his back.

Prince Yadav to Harry Brook, FOUR! Incredible shot. Prince bowls it into the wicket, on off. Brook stands tall and opens up the front hip. Plays the lofted hit on the rise over wide mid off for a four.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Harry Brook, Floated up, on middle, this is eased to long on for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Harry Brook, Fuller and quicker at 100 kph, on the pads. Brook tickles it wide of short fine leg. Shivam Dube dives to his right and gets a bit of a hand on it. It goes behind before Dube mops it up. Two runs taken.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Tucking the batter up for room, on a nagging length. Phil pushes it in the vacant wide mid on region and they think about the second run but Axar Patel charges in off the ropes and keeps it to one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Harry Brook, Dishes out the googly, on a good length, played with the turn to deep mid-wicket for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Harry Brook, Sliding in at the hips. Brook uses his wrists and turns it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Phil Salt, Starts on the shorter side, on off. Salt makes room and flat bats it to long on for a run.

Shivam Dube to Harry Brook, Dube spots Brook backing away and he pushes it wider on off, on a length. Brook lets it go, thinking it is a wide but it sneaks well within the tramline.

Shivam Dube to Phil Salt, Full and on off. Salt firms the drive wide of extra cover. Tilak Varma gets low to his right but takes his eyes off the ball at the last moment and can't pick the ball up in one go. There could have been a run out chance at the bowling end had Tilak picked it up cleanly.

Shivam Dube to Phil Salt, FOUR! Streaky! Sticks to the off-pace delivery at 118 kph, fuller and wider on off. Salt throws his hands at the ball. Skews it off the toe end past the diving keeper to his right for a boundary.

Shivam Dube to Harry Brook, Takes pace off and goes into the surface, on top of off. Brook makes room and flays it behind point for one.

Shivam Dube to Harry Brook, Good running. Fuller in length, on off. Brook stays back and plays it with soft hands in the vacant mid on region before coming back for the second run.

Shivam Dube to Phil Salt, On a hard length, outside off, swatted down to long on for a single.

Shivam Dube to Phil Salt, Wide! Off-cutter banged into the deck but this is beyond the tramline on off. Salt offers no shot. The 50 is up for England with this extra.

Prince Yadav to Harry Brook, Bends his back and digs it in short at chest height, on middle. Brook swivels but mistimes the pull wide of mid-wicket for a couple of runs. A rapid opening over by Prince Yadav. After 6 overs, England are 49/1.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Good stop. Prince goes searching for the yorker but it ends up being a low full toss on the leg stump. Salt makes room and jams it out wide of cover. Axar Patel moves to his left, stretches his left hand out and parries it towards the point fielder. Just a single.

Prince Yadav to Harry Brook, Another ball that tails back in at the pads. Harry clips it wide of mid-wicket, where Shivam Dube gets low to his right and keeps it to a single.

Prince Yadav to Phil Salt, Fuller in length, on the pads. Salt is hurried and glances it down to deep fine leg. They cross.

Prince Yadav to Harry Brook, Angled in at the pads, on a good length at 141 kph. Brook hangs back to help it away but is beaten for pace. The ball thuds into the pads and goes away on the leg side. Harry hobbles to the other end and completes the leg bye.

Harry Brook is the new batter in.

Prince Yadav to Jos Buttler, OUT! CASTLED! A corker of a yorker from Prince Yadav. Not a lot Jos Buttler could have done about that. Prince steams in from over the wicket and nails the yorker at the toes. It tails back in as Jos tries to get his bat down hurriedly. He is beaten on the inside edge, and the ball deflects off his boot onto the leg stump. End of a 43-run opening stand.

Another productive over for England. Prince Yadav to close out the Powerplay.

Harshit Rana to Phil Salt, Swing and a miss! Pitched fuller and outside off, a bit slower too. Salt looks to swing through the line but misses.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, A yorker now, on leg stump, Buttler makes room and squeezes it to covers for a run.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Pinched back over the bowler's head. Fuller now, angled well into the batter, Buttler backs away a fair bit and smacks it down the ground for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, Short of a length, angling in, Buttler presses on the back foot and pushes it down to cover.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, A leg cutter now, slightly outside off, nibbling away. Buttler has a waft across the line but misses.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, SIX! That's been battered away. Slower one, pitched fuller and outside off, Jos Buttler lunges across to the off side and swings it handsomely over cow corner for a biggie.

25 runs have come off the last 2 overs. Harshit Rana is back with a change of ends.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, Shortish length again, pushed off the back foot to mid on for a quick run.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Buttler and England are on the move now. A bit shorter, darted into the batter, Jos Buttler rocks back and pulls it flat and hard, wide of square leg for a boundary.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, A bit more air on this one, wide outside off, lofted inside-out over covers for a couple of handy runs.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, A quicker arm ball, angled in from outside off, jammed out towards cover.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, SIX! BANG! Fired in a bit fuller, on the stumps, Jos Buttler clears the front leg, stays steady and whacks it down the ground for a biggie.

Axar Patel to Jos Buttler, Extra bounce right away! Good length on off, angles in a bit, Buttler makes room to cut, but the ball shoots up and beats the outside edge.

First look at spin as Axar Patel comes on.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Length ball in the channel, angled across, this is eased away behind point for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Hammered away! Dug in short over middle, around shoulder height. Jos Buttler picks the length in a trice and climbs on top of the bounce, nailing the pull in front of square leg for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Shorter in length and wide outside off, Salt throws his hands at it and slaps it down to wide mid off for a run. Shreyas Iyer over there charges at the ball but fails to gather it cleanly.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Singh keeps the length full and the line wide outside off, Jos skews it off the cue end down to deep third for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Full and wide outside off, pushed beyond the tramline for a wide.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Up and over! A bit too full, angled across off, Jos Buttler goes after it and launches it over wide mid off. Not excellently timed, but enough for the ball to dribble away into the fence.

Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler, Beaten! Good-length delivery, this one just slants across the right-hander. Jos Buttler is drawn across to drive but the ball beats the outside edge.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, Slightly fuller and in the channel, Buttler reaches in front and pushes it to mid off for a quick run.

Harshit Rana to Phil Salt, Back of a length and around off, tapped away wide of point for a single.

Harshit Rana to Phil Salt, FOUR! Salt is up and running, and there's that cheer again from the crowd. Fullish length, angled into the pads, Phil Salt clears the front leg and drills it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary, the first of the game.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, England are off the mark, and there's probably a sarcastic cheer from the crowd. Back of a length, around off, Jos Buttler dabs it in front of mid on for a quick single.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, Good length on off, angling in a bit. Jos Buttler tucks it across to the leg side.

Harshit Rana to Jos Buttler, Full-pitched delivery outside off, drilled to covers for a dot.

A probing first over by Arshdeep Singh. Harshit Rana will share the attack.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Oh, that's nearly shaved the off stump. Singh lands it full and in the channel just outside off, shaping back in late. Phil Salt looks to swing across the line but is beaten past the inside edge. A maiden to start with from Singh.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, It's like Deja Vu! A lovely curve on the delivery and India appeal for LBW, but again, it is turned down. Very full, starts on middle, angles down the leg. Salt misses the flick again and gets rapped on the pads. No review taken this time.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, A big appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no. Very full and on the pads, swinging in. Phil Salt looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads. Arshdeep Singh seems confident, and Shreyas Iyer takes the DRS just before the timer is about to reach zero. The third umpire has a look and finds no spike on UltraEdge, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching outside leg. India lose an early review.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, Excellent line and length again. Just a tad full on off, darting back in. Salt shuffles a touch to the off side and blocks it down to mid off.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, On a length again, shaping into the pads, Salt dabs it across to mid-wicket.

Arshdeep Singh to Phil Salt, On the money! Good-length delivery on middle, shapes back into the right-hander. Phil Salt watchfully blocks it off.

We are all set to get going. It is a glorious evening in Nottingham with blue skies overhead. Shreyas Iyer leads his men out onto the park. They are followed by the two English openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler. It will be Arshdeep Singh to start things off with the new ball. He dismissed both openers in the first over in Manchester. Arshdeep to Salt. There is a slip in place. Here we go...

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav (In for Ravi Bishnoi), Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Harry Brook (C), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Josh Tongue.

The skipper of England - Harry Brook says that they were a bit indecisive, but would have probably batted first. Adds that it was an excellent performance last time around, with the ball and in the field as well. Further mentions that they have a great balance in the side and ends by saying that every game is a big game and they are looking forward to the challenge.

The captain of India - When asked about the couple of overs that decided the previous game, Shreyas Iyer calls it a hiccup and believes such phases are beyond anyone's control at times. He stresses the importance of backing his bowlers and reveals he had a chat with Ravi Bishnoi. Adds that every player goes through difficult phases. Iyer says the boys are in high spirits heading into this clash. Looking at the surface, he feels it is a beautiful batting wicket, although the short boundary on one side is something his side will have to factor into their plans. Informs that they have made one change, with Prince Yadav coming into the side in place of Ravi Bishnoi.

TOSS - Both captains are out there in the middle, ready for the toss. Shreyas Iyer calls correctly. India will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Former India pacer Varun Aaron is pitchside and wastes no time in calling it a batter's day out. He observes plenty of dead grass on the surface, along with a bit of live grass, but doesn't expect it to offer the bowlers much assistance. Aaron describes it as a hard surface with good grass binding, adding that this is the first game of the season to be played on this pitch. Mentions that the straight boundary measures while the pockets behind the wicket are considerably shorter.

Uncharted territory - India have now lost 3 completed T20Is in a row for the first time since 2021, and there are signs of worry. The opening combinations haven't quite worked out, and the decision to consistently play a third spinner in such conditions is turning out to be a real headache. There's a lot of depth in this team, but what kind of combination gives India the best chance of winning is yet to be seen in this new era post the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. Will we see further tweaks for the tourists? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned for the toss and teams.

Struggles at the top - England did come from behind to win the 2nd T20I in Manchester, but their top order was dismantled pretty early on, and a lot of focus will be on Jos Buttler, who might be fighting to stay in this team. The bowling needs to be better if the hosts are to make the series safe.

Greetings from Trent Bridge - Hello and welcome, one and all. Just a week after Ben Stokes' bombshell retirement from international cricket, we are back in Nottingham for the 3rd T20I between England and India, and it's a massive clash as well. If England win, they take an unassailable lead with one game already washed out, whereas if India win, we'll be back to square one.

... MATCH DAY ...

A series at crossroads - The five-match T20I series heads to Trent Bridge with England firmly in the driving seat. After the opener was washed out, Harry Brook's side held their nerve in Manchester to claim a memorable victory and open up a 1-0 lead. While the hosts now have the opportunity to tighten their grip on the series, the pressure has shifted squarely onto the reigning T20 World Champions. India simply cannot afford another defeat, as it would leave them needing to win the final two matches to avoid a series loss under new captain Shreyas Iyer. England growing in confidence - England look like a side beginning to find their rhythm under Harry Brook. Their victory in Manchester showcased the depth within the squad rather than relying on individual brilliance. Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 76 further cemented his status as one of England's brightest young talents, while Tom Banton's attacking start and Brook's fearless approach once again underlined the aggressive brand of cricket the hosts want to play. Bethell has now scored 381 T20I runs in 2026 and has an average of 83.5 batting at number 4, while Brook has enjoyed another prolific year in the format with a strike rate well in excess of 160. Add explosive names like Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks and Tom Banton into the mix, and England possess a batting line-up capable of taking the game away in any phase. England's bowling attack has quietly become one of their biggest strengths. Sam Curran's clever variations earned him three wickets in the previous game and he also boasts an impressive record against several Indian batters, including dismissing Abhishek Sharma three times in T20 cricket. Jofra Archer continues to ask questions with the new ball, while Adil Rashid remains England's trump card through the middle overs. Liam Dawson and Bethell provide additional spin options, giving Brook the flexibility to adapt to any match situation. Plenty of firepower, plenty to prove - Despite trailing in the series, India arguably still possess the most destructive batting unit in world cricket. Ishan Kishan's rise back to the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings reflects the depth and quality of this line-up, with the wicketkeeper also leading run-scorer in T20I runs in 2026. Alongside him, Abhishek Sharma has continued his extraordinary rise, striking at over 205 in T20s in 2025, while only the exciting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored quicker with a whopping strike rate of 234. Shreyas Iyer has also shown encouraging signs despite the results. The Indian captain owns the highest average (48.8) among captains in T20s since the beginning of 2025, perfectly reflecting the fearless approach he wants his side to adopt. Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma further strengthen an already formidable middle order, but India will know that their batting unit now needs to translate promising starts into a complete performance after falling just short in Manchester. Can the bowlers rise to occasion? India's bowling attack has produced moments of brilliance without consistently controlling games. Arshdeep Singh once again led the way in Manchester and remains one of the premier T20 fast bowlers in world cricket. Since 2024, no seamer from a Full Member nation has taken more wickets in this format, while his ability to execute yorkers at the death continues to make him India's go-to option in pressure situations. Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin and Axar Patel's control remain equally important, but India will need a much stronger collective display after England successfully chased 191 in the previous match. Against a batting line-up that attacks relentlessly from ball one, every over will matter. India cannot afford to rely on individual brilliance alone if they are to level the series. Eyes on the weather - Trent Bridge has long been regarded as one of England's finest venues for white-ball cricket. The true surface, quick outfield and inviting boundaries regularly produce high-scoring contests, with the average first-innings score in last 10 T20Is sitting at 171. While the new ball can offer some movement for the seamers, batting generally becomes easier as the innings progresses, making execution with the ball just as important as power-hitting with the bat. There is a chance of rain in Nottingham once again, but after the opening match was abandoned and the second produced a thrilling finish, both teams and supporters will be hoping the weather stays away long enough for another full contest. A landmark within reach - India continue to lead the overall T20I rivalry 18-13, but England sense an opportunity to rewrite history. The hosts have never defeated India in a bilateral multi-match T20I series, yet with a 1-0 advantage and two home games still to come, they have never been better placed to end that long wait. India, on the other hand, have built their reputation on responding under pressure, and with the series hanging in the balance, the world champions will be determined to remind everyone why they remain one of the benchmark teams in the format. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - ENG - WLWWW | IND - LLLWW. Another classic awaits - Momentum, history and pressure all collide at Trent Bridge. England have the chance to seize complete control of the series, while India know this is virtually a must-win encounter if they are to keep their hopes alive. With explosive batting line-ups, world-class bowlers and no shortage of star power on either side, the stage is perfectly set for another captivating chapter in one of cricket's most exciting modern rivalries.