The first six overs turned out to be the difference in the match. India could make just 24 for three in the powerplay stage whereas England cruised to 57/1 thanks to Buttler’s strokeplay.
Chasing a 157-run target, England began well raising 23 for the first wicket before Jason Roy (9 off 13) was dismissed.
However, Buttler (83 off 52 balls, 5x4s, 4x6s) kept up the charge as England took 14 off Chahal’s first over — the innings’ fourth — and followed it up with 16 runs in the fifth over of the innings bowled by Shardul Thakur.
Buttler’s partner, Dawid Malan who is also a big-hitter, played second fiddle and kept rotating the strike before he was out stumped off the bowling of Washington Sundar.
Jonny Bairstow (40 not out off 28 balls) then added an unbeaten 77 runs for the third wicket to see England home.
Earlier, skipper Virat Kohli had hammered an unbeaten 77 (46 balls, 8x4s, 4x6s) to help India reach 156/6 in 20 overs.
Kohli played a captain’s knock once again, following the…
