NOTTINGHAM, England : England’s pace attack tore through India’s batting lineup to hand the world champions a record 125-run defeat in the third Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, sealing the five-match series 3-0 with two matches remaining.
Josh Tongue claimed 4-28 while Jofra Archer took 3-29 as England bowled India out for 76 after posting 201-7.
The defeat compounded India’s poor run in the format after they arrived in England on the back of a 2-0 series loss to Ireland.
“I think it was atrocious. I can’t use a better word, honestly,” India captain Shreyas Iyer said.
“Losing by such a big margin is definitely not acceptable.
“First things first, we need to accept this loss and completely go back to the drawing board and see what we did wrong.
“We’ve played awful cricket for sure. But there’s a lot of learnings from it as well. Every individual has to think by themselves and see how they can win the matches and take that responsibility.”
India’s chase unravelled almost immediately when Abhishek Sharma fell for 10, caught by Phil Salt at deep point off Tongue.
Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi briefly entertained with two sixes in a five-ball 13 before gloving Archer behind to Jos Buttler, who finished with four catches and a stumping.
India’s hopes of recovery faded further when Ishan Kishan and Iyer fell off successive deliveries, both caught by Jacob Bethell, before Archer had the promoted Axar Patel caught behind to leave the tourists reeling at 52-5.
Archer, who was named player of the match, praised his new-ball partnership with Tongue.
“You’re bowling at world-class batters so you’ve just got to keep hitting the spot. For the most part I’m happy with how it’s coming out,” Archer said.
“I enjoy bowling with Josh. I’ve bowled with him all summer, every game with him since I’ve been back. I really enjoy bouncing ideas off him.
“He was brilliant. We are really similar, so if I don’t get wickets he definitely will.”
Earlier, opener Phil Salt anchored England’s innings with a 44-ball 70 after surviving a maiden opening over from Arshdeep Singh before accelerating with three sixes.
Prince Yadav impressed in only his third T20 international, taking 2-30, including the wicket of Buttler for 36 with a first-ball inswinging yorker.
Harshit Rana struck twice in successive deliveries to dismiss Bethell and Tom Banton, but Sam Curran’s unbeaten 41 from 24 balls lifted England past the 200-mark.
The teams meet again in the fourth T20 international in Bristol on Thursday.
