England collapse spectacularly to 121 all out chasing 170 against India at Edgbaston

Less than four months out from the T20 World Cup in Australia this autumn, so far these two fixtures against India have not proved ideal preparation.

With Eoin Morgan watching on from the Sky commentary box, England collapsed to 121 all out as Jasprit Bumrah and co. ran through the England top order with a display of high class limited overs bowling.

On the site of one of England’s most famous Test wins, Buttler’s side arrived at Edgbaston knowing that they needed a win to ensure that the series goes to Trent Bridge with all to play for.

Richard Gleeson took three wickets – including that of Rishabh Pant – on his England debut

As it was, England got nowhere near India’s total and such a collapse will do little to allay the belief that England have work to do before heading Down Under for the second ICC T20 World Cup in as many years.

The top order, usually glued together by the electric opening partnership of Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, were dismissed within the powerplay with Bhuveshwar Kumar impressing on a baking hot afternoon in Birmingham.

England’s top order is long and talented, however, and when Roy and Buttler are dismissed cheaply they know that there is a cavalry behind them to pile on the runs. As it was, 11-2 quickly became 41-4 before Dawid Malan reverse swept into the clutches of a gleeful fielder at backward point to reduce England to 55-5.

When Ali did the same as Curran and chipped to mid-off, the game was up. Some late David Willey hitting aside, England were a limping beast for a number of overs and it was only a matter of time before India finished the job. 

The afternoon had started in OK fashion for England, with them reducing India to 170 which appeared about par on a true pitch at Edbaston. 

A late flurry from Ravindra Jadeja ensured India, who led the three-match series, posted a reasonable total at a ground where their Test team succumbed to a devastating seven-wicket defeat to England earlier this week.

England struggled in the first game of the series but will fancy their chances of chasing down 171 in ideal conditions at Edgbaston. 

India, who won the opening game in Southampton by 50 runs after making one short of 200, made a promising start as openers Sharma and Pant motored along early on.

But the introduction of Gleeson, playing his first T20 international at the age of 34, swung the match back in England’s favour.

Gleeson also removed Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma to end with figures of 3-15

Chris Jordan also impressed with the ball as he ended with 4-27 to help restrict India to 170-8

Ravindra Jadeja finished unbeaten on 46 to help India to a competitive total at Edgbaston