SOUTHAMPTON: Jos Buttler’s first international century in three years powered England to a dominant 56-run victory over India in Southampton on Saturday as the hosts completed a 4-0 T20I series whitewash.
The win also lifted England to the top of the T20 world rankings after a commanding series against the reigning world champions.
Buttler produced a blistering innings of 131, hitting eight sixes in one of his finest white-ball performances. It was his second T20I century and came in a record 233-run partnership with captain Harry Brook.
Brook remained unbeaten on 95 as England posted 257-3, their second-highest total in T20 internationals.
India’s hopes of avoiding a clean sweep were badly damaged before the chase began, with England’s huge total leaving the visitors under immediate pressure.
Ishan Kishan made 56 and Tilak Varma added 53, but India could only reach 201-8. Sam Curran led England’s bowling attack with 3-36.
India captain Shreyas Iyer added 55 for the third wicket with Kishan before falling to Liam Dawson. Kishan’s dismissal, after a brilliant running catch by Phil Salt off Adil Rashid, ended India’s fading hopes.
The match also saw Sanju Samson return in place of teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Samson struck two sixes but was dismissed for 27 by Curran.
England and India will now shift focus to a three-match ODI series starting in Birmingham on Tuesday.
