WATCH: Varun Chakravarthy stuns England by removing Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in the same over | IND vs ENG 2025, 1st T20I
Varun Chakravarthy he presented a bowling masterclass in the first T20I five-match series between India and England in Kolkata. His impressive double wicket unsettled England’s batting line-up, increasing India’s grip on the match. Replenishment Arshdeep SinghVarun’s early breakthrough, Varun’s superb accuracy cemented India’s dominance in the game.
Varun Chakravarthy’s double strike rocks England
In the game-changing seventh over, Varun displayed his exceptional skills to deliver a double strike that stunned England. He fell first Harry Brookwho showed promise with an aggressive 17 off 14 balls, including two fours and a six. Varun fooled Brook with a wrong’un that drifted and turned sharply, sneaking through the pad, after taking a thin blade of the bat, to hit the stumps. Brook, playing for a straighter delivery, was undone by a sharp turn and an unfortunate edge to end what looked like a potential game-defining innings.
Two balls later, Varun unleashed another gem to dismiss Liam Livingstone for the duck. The delivery, pitched to the right, drifted in and skidded through the pace. Livingstone, expecting a turn that never came, played the wrong line, leaving his stumps reeling. Accuracy and guile in Varun’s bowling destroyed England’s middle order, leaving them at 65/4. These two dismissals highlighted Varun’s ability to outmaneuver batsmen under pressure, turning the tide in India’s favour.
Here is the video:
Wooden blows ✅
Double wicket over ✅
Varun Chakaravarthy picks up two! 👏 👏
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— BCCI (@BCCI) January 22, 2025
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England’s early struggles in Kolkata against India
The first ten overs of England’s innings saw a mix of aggressive batting and tight bowling from India. England lost Phil Salt for a duck in the opener to Arshdeep, who continued his brilliance with a takedown Ben Duckett shortly after, leaving the visitors at 17/2 after the third over. Jos Buttler he then took charge, showing his aggressive intent with a series of boundaries. His unbeaten 48 off 30 deliveries, interspersed with six fours and one six, steadied the innings amid early setbacks.
Arshdeep set the tone with his impeccable line and length, finishing his three overs with impressive figures of 2/10 at an economy of just 3.33. Varun complemented him perfectly, taking 2/16 in his three overs, dismantling England’s middle order. Ravi Bishnoi he kept the pressure intact, conceding just six runs in his opening over. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel they were expensive but played supporting roles as England struggled to accelerate after the powerplay. Halfway, England reached 77/4with Buttler anchoring the innings. The Indian bowlers will look to use their momentum in the remaining overs to restrict the visitors to a modest total.
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