Jos Buttler and Harry Brook produced a record-breaking partnership as England thrashed India by 56 runs in the fifth T20 international, sealing a 4-0 series win. England posted 257 for three, the highest total ever made against India in T20s, surpassing their own record set in Mumbai in March. India managed 201 for eight in reply, with the series ending in a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
Buttler's career-best innings
Jos Buttler, under pressure after 18 innings without a half-century in T20s, scored a magnificent 131 off 64 balls, the second-highest score by an England batter in the format. His innings included 10 fours and 10 sixes. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off 50 balls, with their partnership of 233 runs being England's best in T20s and the highest against India by a margin of 59 runs.
"When you go a long time without scoring runs you think the guys at the top might be thinking, 'It's time to move him on,'" Buttler said. "In a weird way that gave me a lot more freedom today – if I was going to fail, I'll do it on my own terms. Days like this feel amazing."
India's fielding struggles
India's fielding was erratic throughout the series, and the fifth match was no exception. Both Buttler and Brook were dropped early in their innings. Brook was on three when he top-edged to deep third, but Shivam Dube misjudged the catch. Buttler was dropped on 101 by Suryansh Shedge at deep midwicket, and again in the final over by Ishan Kishan.
England's 19th over was particularly bizarre, with Shreyas Iyer turning to Dube for his first bowl of the series. Dube conceded three sixes, a four, and two catches in the deep off six deliveries.
India's chase falters
India began their chase strongly, with Sanju Samson scoring 27 off 14 before falling to Sam Curran. Abhishek Sharma made only three. At the halfway mark, India were 110 for two, one run behind England's score at the same stage. However, Iyer's dismissal to Liam Dawson triggered a collapse. Half-centuries from Kishan (56 off 35) and Tilak Varma (53 off 25) prevented a complete rout.
"It definitely hurts, but I feel it's a great learning for me as a captain and also for the other players who have played here for the first time," Iyer said. "You can't just have that mindset that you will come to England and you will win the series – you need to work hard."
Series dominance
England's 4-0 victory marks a dominant performance across all departments. The series win propels England to the top of the ICC T20 rankings, displacing India, who had held the top spot since February 2022. The result ends a challenging period for England, who had suffered a series of defeats in Ireland and earlier in the year.
