Harry Brook and Phil Salt powered England to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over India in the fourth T20 international in Bristol, sealing the series with one game to spare. Brook smashed 79 off 35 balls, while Salt added 59 as England chased down India's 158-7 with six overs remaining.
Dominant England Display
England's performance was one of complete dominance, leaving the world champions India looking timid with the bat, poor in the field, and error-prone with the ball. The win gives England a 3-1 lead in the five-match series and could see them overtake India as the world's number one T20 side if they win the final game in Southampton on Saturday.
"We're always striving to be the best team in the world," said Brook. "One thing we really wanted to do is adapt to conditions and play what's in front of us. And that's what we've done really well over the past six or eight months."
India's Adaptability Issues
India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged his team's struggles in foreign conditions. "What works in India won't necessarily work here," he said. "We've spoken so much about adaptability, but I think it's got to the point now we actually have to unpack that suitcase."
India captain Shreyas Iyer, who top-scored with 80 off 49 balls, promised a "fearless" approach at the toss, but his side's batting display was puzzlingly passive until his own innings.
Brook's Brilliance
Chasing a modest target, England lost Jos Buttler early for eight, continuing the former captain's poor form. Buttler has not scored a T20 international half-century since September last year, averaging just 15.16 in his last 18 innings.
But Brook took over immediately, scooping his second ball for six. He reached his half-century off 21 deliveries with a huge six down the ground off Axar Patel. In a three-over spell, Brook hit eight boundaries including two sixes, turning a tight chase into a comfortable one. He finished unbeaten on 79, hitting four sixes in total.
Salt's Recovery
Salt started slowly, failing to score off his first nine deliveries, but benefited from India's charity as no-balls in the fourth and fifth overs gave him free hits. He accelerated to reach his half-century off 34 balls, and together with Brook, he guided England home.
Series Context
England's bowlers had set up a 125-run win in the previous match at Trent Bridge, but in Bristol, it was the batters who stole the show. The victory continues England's impressive run, having adapted well to conditions in Sri Lanka, the World Cup, and India earlier this year.
India, meanwhile, face questions about their ability to perform outside home conditions. Ten Doeschate added: "Do we want to be a team that smashes 250 in India and looks great, or do we want to come to places like this, where things are slightly different... Do we want to be a team that actually excels in different conditions and do we have the mentality to make those adjustments?"
