England secured a five-wicket victory over India in the first men's T20 international at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Chasing a target of 169, England reached 170 for 5 with three balls remaining, thanks to a composed 68 off 48 balls from captain Jos Buttler.
India's Innings: A Competitive Total
India, batting first, posted 168 for 6 in their 20 overs. Opener Rohit Sharma top-scored with 52 off 38 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav contributed a quickfire 41 off 27. England's bowlers, led by Chris Jordan's 2 for 28, kept the scoring in check during the middle overs.
England's Chase: Buttler Anchors the Run Chase
England's reply got off to a steady start, with openers Jason Roy (23 off 18) and Dawid Malan (31 off 24) adding 54 for the first wicket. Buttler then took charge, hitting seven fours and two sixes. He found support from Liam Livingstone, who scored 27 off 19 balls, and Moeen Ali, who finished unbeaten on 18 off 12.
India's bowlers fought back, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 2 for 32 and Yuzvendra Chahal claiming 1 for 29, but England's depth proved decisive. The required rate climbed above ten runs per over in the final stages, but Buttler's calm innings saw England home.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Buttler's dismissal of Axar Patel for a six in the 18th over turned the tide, bringing the equation down to 15 off the last two overs. Jordan then hit a boundary off the first ball of the final over to seal the win.
According to England captain Jos Buttler, "It was a great team effort. The bowlers set it up nicely, and the batters executed the plan well. We are looking forward to the next match." India captain Rohit Sharma said, "We were 10-15 runs short. Our bowlers did well, but we need to bat better in the middle overs."
Series Outlook
England now lead the three-match series 1-0. The second T20 is scheduled for July 3 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. India will look to level the series, while England aim to build on their momentum.
