• India clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over England in the second T20I to secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

  • Tilak Varma scored unbeaten 72 off 55 balls under pressure.

Twitter reactions: Tilak Varma powers India to a 2-0 series lead over England in the T20Is
Tilak Varma (Image Source: X)

In a nail-biting encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over England in the second T20I to secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing a target of 166, India overcame a shaky start, thanks to a composed and match-defining knock from Tilak Varma, who held his nerve to take India over the line with just four balls to spare. The game saw brilliant individual performances, high drama in the death overs, and a host of strategic battles, making it an unforgettable contest.

England’s innings: Jos Buttler and Brydon Carse anchor amidst middle-order woes

After being put in to bat, England posted 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a rocky start with early dismissals of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, captain Jos Buttler showcased his class with a measured 45 off 30 balls, supported by some fireworks from Brydon Carse, who smashed a quick 31 off 17 balls. Contributions from Jamie Smith (22 off 12) and Liam Livingstone (13 off 14) provided stability, but frequent wickets prevented England from capitalizing in the middle overs. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel delivered impactful spells, bagging two wickets each, while the fielding effort, including a brilliant run-out of Carse, kept England’s total in check.

Also READ: Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar mock Harry Brook’s ‘smog excuse’ after Varun Chakravarthy removes the English batter in 2nd T20I – IND vs ENG

India’s chase: Tilak Varma’s masterclass under pressure

India’s chase began on a shaky note as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson fell early, leaving the team at 19/2. Captain Suryakumar Yadav‘s quickfire 12 off 7 balls provided some momentum, but his dismissal further complicated the chase. Tilak, however, rose to the occasion with a sensational unbeaten 72 off 55 balls, blending caution with aggression. His innings featured four boundaries and five towering sixes, ensuring India stayed in the hunt. Washington Sundar chipped in with a vital 26 off 19 balls, while Ravi Bishnoi’s calm nine-run cameo sealed the deal in the final over. Despite disciplined bowling from Carse (3/29) and Adil Rashid (1/14), England failed to defend their total.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also WATCH: Varun Chakravarthy cleans up Jamie Overton with a brilliant googly in IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

Subscribe to Cricket Times on YouTube to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Featured India Tilak Varma Twitter Reactions

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
Amar is a sports enthusiast and a talented writer who has found the perfect career that combines his two passions. As a valuable member of Cricket Times, Amar brings his passion for cricket and his talent for writing to the fore, providing readers with insightful and engaging content. Cricket lives rent-free in his mind. A person who views cricket as a metaphor for life. You can connect with Amar at amar.bhalla@crickettimes.com and also follow him on LinkedIn.