Pandya, Dube & Rana shine as India beat England by 15 runs, seals series 3-1

India secured a memorable 15-run victory over England in the 4th T20I in Pune on Friday, January 31, sealing the series with one match to spare. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube’s fifties powered India to a competitive total of 181 after an early collapse, while Harshit Rana, coming in as a concussion substitute, stunned England with three crucial wickets.

England, who won the toss and opted to bowl, got off to a dream start as India found themselves reeling at 12/3 within the first two overs. Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav all fell cheaply, exposing India’s middle order. However, Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership before veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid struck again, dismissing Abhishek.

Dube, making his T20I comeback, played an aggressive knock alongside Pandya, helping India recover from a precarious position. The duo added crucial runs in the final overs, with Hardik smashing a fifty off 27 balls before falling in the 18th over. Dube followed suit, ensuring India reached a solid total of 181.

England’s chase began explosively as Ben Duckett and Phil Salt launched a fierce attack on the Indian bowlers, racing to 53 in just five overs. However, Ravi Bishnoi’s introduction changed the momentum as he dismissed Duckett and later claimed the key wicket of Jos Buttler. Axar Patel also struck, sending Salt back to the pavilion.

The biggest controversy of the night unfolded when Harshit Rana was introduced as a concussion substitute for Dube, who had been struck on the head in the final over. England questioned the like-for-like replacement, but Rana quickly made his mark by dismissing Liam Livingstone.

Despite Harry Brook’s fighting fifty, England’s middle and lower order collapsed under pressure. Varun Chakaravarthy’s double strike, dismissing Brook and Brydon Carse in the same over, left England in deep trouble. Rana continued his dream debut by taking two more wickets, including Jamie Overton, ensuring India’s victory.

With this win, India takes an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, leaving England with only pride to play for in the final game.