NEW DELHI: India got off to a perfect start in the fifth and final T20I against England by dismissing Phil Salt early at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. But a few overs later, a costly fielding error by Shivam Dube gave England captain Harry Brook a lifeline.The incident occurred in England’s sixth innings. Fast bowler Prince Yadav bowled a short delivery outside off stump and Brook attempted a great shot. Instead, it got a thick top edge that rose into the air. It looked like an easy catch for Dube, who ran from the infield. However, he did not know how to judge the ball correctly and wasted the great opportunity. The missed opportunity turned out to be a huge turning point.Brook was still in the early stages of his innings and made the most of the reprieve. He then scored an unbeaten 95 off just 46 balls, while Jos Buttler scored 131 off 64 deliveries.The pair put together an impressive partnership of 233 runs for the second wicket, helping England post a massive 257.India’s poor performance did not end there. Dube later dismissed Buttler in the 19th over, but by then the England captain had already done the damage. Ishan Kishan also dropped Brook again on 90.
England completes 4-0 series sweep
Chasing a daunting target of 258, India started aggressively but could only manage 201/8 in 20 overs despite half-centuries from Ishan Kishan (56) and Tilak Varma (53).England sealed a 56-run victory to complete a 4-0 clean sweep in the five-match series.The defeat also cost India the number one spot in the ICC men’s T20I rankings. England rose to the top after extending India’s losing streak in T20Is to six matches.