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The India vs. England T20I series concluded with a decisive victory for India, despite a controversial substitution that dominated post-match discussions. India's win, achieved by a margin of 15 runs in the fifth and final match played in Pune, cemented their series triumph. The game itself was a thrilling display of both batting and bowling prowess, highlighting the talent within both teams. England started strongly, amassing 62 runs during the Powerplay, setting a challenging pace for the rest of the innings. However, India's bowlers, particularly the impressive debut performance of Harshit Rana, successfully stemmed the flow of runs and ultimately restricted England to a score below the target.
The match was overshadowed, however, by the substitution of Shivam Dube with Harshit Rana. Dube, who had reached a half-century, was struck on the head by a delivery from Jamie Overton in the penultimate ball of India's innings. This led to the introduction of Rana, a Mumbai all-rounder, as a concussion substitute. The decision sparked immediate controversy from England captain Jos Buttler, who criticized the selection as not being a 'like-for-like' replacement. Buttler's argument centered around the perceived discrepancy between Dube's batting role and Rana's primarily bowling role. The rules, however, permit such substitutions under the concussion protocols, a point which India's coaching staff emphasized repeatedly.
India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, defended the team's actions, stressing that the decision to substitute Dube with Rana was made by the match referee, Javagal Srinath, after consultation with the Indian team management. Morkel highlighted that they followed the official protocol, submitting Rana's name as a suitable replacement given the circumstances. He also praised Rana's performance on his debut, emphasizing his quick adaptation to the pressure-cooker environment and effective bowling which contributed significantly to India's victory. Rana's impressive figures of 3/33 underscored his talent and potential, adding another layer of discussion to the overall narrative of the match.
Beyond the controversy surrounding the substitution, the match also showcased the exceptional bowling performance of India's team. Varun Chakravarthy, Rana, and Ravi Bishnoi displayed their exceptional skills in defending a challenging total of 181 runs on a good batting wicket with wet outfield conditions. Their ability to maintain control under pressure was a testament to their skill and composure, particularly given the fast start provided by the England batsmen in the Powerplay. This consistent performance by the bowling unit deeply impressed Morkel, who noted the team's contributions in planning and their collective ability to execute the strategy effectively, even under pressure.
The successful defense of 181 highlighted the depth and strength of India's bowling attack. It also served as a demonstration of the team's resilience and capacity to perform under pressure, securing a convincing victory and a resounding series win. The series victory is a significant accomplishment for India, showcasing their dominance in the T20 format. While the substitution controversy remains a point of discussion, it cannot overshadow the overall success of India's performance and their well-deserved series win. The final match served as a fitting culmination to the series, providing both thrilling moments on the field and plenty of post-match analysis regarding the regulations and interpretations surrounding concussion substitutions.
Source: India vs England 5th T20I Live Score: With series in pocket, India face England in dead rubber