Harry Brook unleashed a breathtaking unbeaten 79 off just 35 deliveries as England outclassed India by nine wickets in the fourth T20I at the County Ground on Friday, sealing the five-match series with a game to spare.
Chasing a modest target of 159, England recovered swiftly after losing Jos Buttler early. Brook and Phil Salt then dismantled the Indian attack with an unbeaten 151-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding the hosts to 159/1 in just 13.5 overs and completing the chase with 37 balls to spare.
Brook was at his destructive best, peppering the boundary with a flurry of fours and sixes, while Salt played the ideal supporting role with a composed unbeaten 59 off 42 balls as England wrapped up the contest in emphatic fashion.
Earlier, India’s batting once again revolved around captain Shreyas Iyer, whose unbeaten 80 off 49 balls rescued the visitors after another top-order collapse. The skipper struck four boundaries and five sixes in a lone hand, while Shivam Dube contributed 22. No other Indian batter managed to make a meaningful impact as India posted 158/7 in their 20 overs.
England’s pace attack ensured India never gained momentum. Jofra Archer returned figures of 2-20, while Josh Tongue claimed 2-36, applying constant pressure throughout the innings.
India struck an early blow by removing Buttler, but their bowlers failed to build on the breakthrough. Brook took charge almost immediately, attacking both pace and spin with authority, while Salt rotated the strike efficiently as England completed one of their most commanding run chases of the series.
The result handed England an unassailable lead in the five-match contest after the opening match ended without a result. It also underlined India’s recurring struggles on tour, with their batting continuing to rely heavily on Iyer while the bowling attack failed to contain England’s aggressive approach.