A Successful Home Season For India vs England; All Eyes on Champions Trophy!

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the 44th edition of The Cricket Diaries!

In this edition, we take a deep dive into India’s home season ahead of the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025.

A Season of Questions and Comebacks

After the disappointing 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian team found itself under scrutiny. Dressing room leaks, PR dramas, and underwhelming performances left fans and critics questioning the squad's stability. When a strong team stumbles, the road to recovery is never easy. However, India's T20I and ODI series against England provided the perfect stage for redemption. Let’s take a look at how it all unfolded.

T20I Series: India’s Road to Redemption

1st T20I – January 22, Kolkata: A Statement Victory

India began the series with a dominant performance, defeating England by 7 wickets while chasing a modest target of 133 in just 12.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma stole the show with an explosive 79* off 34 balls, but it was Varun Chakravarthy’s match-winning bowling spell that earned him the Player of the Match award.

2nd T20I – January 25, Chennai: A Last-Over Thriller

England posted 165 runs, a seemingly manageable target based on India’s previous chase. However, early wickets made things tricky. Just when the match seemed to be slipping away, Tilak Varma held his nerve and guided India to victory, earning the Player of the Match award for his crucial knock.

3rd T20I – January 28, Rajkot: England Strikes Back

England bounced back, posting 171 runs, thanks to some valuable lower-order contributions. As the pitch slowed down, India struggled to find boundaries and fell short by 26 runs. Despite the loss, Varun Chakravarthy’s exceptional five-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award.

4th T20I – January 31, Pune: The Game-Changer

India batted first for the first time in the series, putting up 181 runs, powered by explosive fifties from Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. England started strong, reaching 62/1 in the powerplay. However, a concussion substitute—Harshit Rana replacing the injured Dube—turned the game on its head. Rana’s match-winning spell secured India’s victory by 15 runs.

5th T20I – February 2, Mumbai: A Record-Breaking Performance

India sealed the series 4-1 with a breathtaking performance. Abhishek Sharma delivered a batting masterclass, smashing 135 off 54 balls as India set a mammoth total of 247. England crumbled under pressure, getting bowled out for just 97 runs. India won by a staggering 150 runs. Sharma was named Player of the Match, while Chakravarthy won Player of the Series for his exceptional bowling.

ODI Series: Building Momentum for the Champions Trophy

1st ODI – Nagpur: Iyer’s Brilliance Under Pressure

Virat Kohli missed the match due to a knee injury, giving Yashasvi Jaiswal his debut. England posted 248 runs. India had a shaky start, losing both openers early. However, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings, with Iyer’s aggressive knock putting England on the back foot. Gill scored 87 as India comfortably chased down the target.

2nd ODI – Cuttack: Rohit Sharma’s Answer to Critics

Virat Kohli returned, but England set a challenging target of 306, with vital fifties from Ben Duckett and Joe Root. India’s top order was under scrutiny, especially with Rohit Sharma struggling for form. But Rohit silenced critics in style, scoring his 32nd ODI century. Along with Gill’s 60, his classy knock ensured a smooth chase. India took a 2-0 series lead.

3rd ODI – Ahmedabad: A Dominant Finish

Opting to bat first, India posted a massive 356-run total. Rohit fell cheaply, but Gill and Kohli built a strong 100+ partnership. Kohli’s half-century signaled his return to form just in time for the Champions Trophy. Shreyas Iyer and Gill continued the momentum, with Gill scoring his 7th ODI century. England started well in the chase but crumbled once India’s spinners took charge. They were all out for 214, handing India a 142-run victory and a 3-0 series clean sweep.

The Road Ahead: Champions Trophy 2025

India’s home season ended on a high, but the real challenge begins on February 19 when the Champions Trophy kicks off. India’s first match is against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. Can India make history by winning back-to-back ICC tournaments?

Stay tuned for all the updates, and keep following The Cricket Diaries!

Best Regards,

Ashutosh Nayak,

Founder, The Cricket Diaries