India all-rounder Hardik Pandya shined with both bat and ball as the tourists defeated hosts England by 50 runs in first T20I of the three-match series at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Friday, July 7.
Chasing a massive target of 199, England were bowled out for just 148 in 19.3 overs. Hardik was the pick of the bowlers for India with 4 wickets.
Earlier, India posted a total of 198 for eight after opting to bat first. Hardik registered his maiden T20I half-century (51 off 33) after Deepak Hooda and Suryakumar Yadav played handy knocks of 33 (17) and 39 (19). For England, Chris Jordan picked up two wickets in his quota of 4 overs.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who returned to the field after his recovery from Covid-19, also played a brisk knock of 24 (14) before losing his wicket to the English off-spinner Moeen Ali.
Brief scores: India 198/8 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 51, Suryakumar Yadav 39; Chris Jordan 2-23) beat England148 in 19.3 overs (Moeen Ali 36; Hardik Pandya 4-33) by 50 runs.
Here’s how Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman and others reacted to India’s thumping win:
Great win Team india in 1st T20 spacial performance @hardikpandya7 with bat and ball ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #INDvsENG
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 8, 2022
Fabulous win last night! Proud of the way the boys approached the match right from the start and came out on top of it. Batters were fearless and bowlers very clinical. Special mention to @hardikpandya7 for a brilliant all-round performance. 👏🏻🇮🇳#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/58cnd8A6zh
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 8, 2022
Aggressive approach in batting, bowling. Top win by Team India 🇮🇳
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 7, 2022
Well done team ! A complete team performance 👏👏 @BCCI #ENGvIND #teamindia
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) July 7, 2022
Terrific start by team India in the T20 series. Set the ground running and didn't stop till the job was done. Liked the intensity and approach. And @hardikpandya7 what a star! Great achievement getting a fifty and fourfer in a T20I. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/I55bdqlmhI
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 7, 2022
This is so much better from the Indian batters .. Been too timid for too long in T20 cricket .. they have the talent & games to attack all attacks .. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 7, 2022
When he’s at 100% Hardik really is a pretty amazing cricketer.
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) July 7, 2022
Congratulations India who take the 1st T20 👊
Onto Brum on Saturday!#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/6rys1Sg1Rk
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 7, 2022
🚨 Milestone Alert 🚨
First captain to win 1⃣3⃣ successive T20Is – Congratulations, @ImRo45. 👏 👏#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/izEGfIfFTn
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 7, 2022
A fifty with the bat, and four wickets with the ball!
Hardik Pandya's day out handed India a 1-0 T20I series lead 🙌#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/9mIbXmFeML
— ICC (@ICC) July 8, 2022
