Big picture: let’s try again
If Wednesday night’s defeat was disappointing for both sides, it at least ensured that India won’t lose a third match in a row – something that hasn’t happened to them in this format since 2021. After a surprise series defeat in Ireland, which Shreyas Iyer described as “disappointing”, the Indian batters at least found some of their usual range in Durham, making 189 for 7 before the rain set in.With their high-scoring performances set for the IPL, they could well be in for a lot more fun at Old Trafford, where England passed the 300-run mark against South Africa last year. Although India stuttered in the first match, falling to 6 for 2 at the end of the second over, Abhishek Sharma continued his fine record against England (347 runs at a strike rate of 219.62) with his third score of over 50 in seven innings, helping to repair the damage along with Iyer, whose half-century was his first in T20Is since December 2023.
And despite Sanju Samson’s continued failures – scores of 5, 0 and 1 in his last three innings – India’s management remains coy about when and where they might finally unleash 15-year-old phenom Vaibhav Suryavanshi into international cricket.
England, too, will be better heading into the game – not least captain Harry Brooke, who had three more days to get fit again for the T20 after the Test against New Zealand. Saqib Mahmood has been outstanding, making an encouraging comeback from knee surgery, but he is set to make way for the returning Jofra Archer, who was not considered for the first T20I after his performance at Trent Bridge, as one of two changes to the bowling attack.
Form Guide
India LLWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
England LWWWW
Spotlight: Phil Salt and Sanju Samson
Old Trafford is Phil SaltIt’s his home arena, but that’s the current schedule and as it fits with international and franchise commitments, he hasn’t played there since September 2025. On that occasion, his unbeaten 141 off 60 balls was the centerpiece of England’s record 304 for 2 against South Africa. After a below-par T20 World Cup and an injury-plagued IPL, he will be keen to build on that form again.Life comes fast, as the saying goes, and don’t the Indian T20 World Cup winners know it. Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of the team, was completely ruled out and now Sanju SamsonThe tournament’s top player, after his streak of 97*, 89 and 89 at the sharp end, seems to be looking over his shoulder with concern. Poor performances are a fact of life in T20, where batters are forced to keep hitting rather than fight their way back to form. But with Suoryavanshi in the wings, Samson would have had enough of a few.
Team news: Archer is back, is Sooryavanshi waiting for a sequel?
England have again confirmed their line-up early with Archer and Josh Tang – the latter making his T20I debut – in place of Mahmud and Luke Wood. Salt is ready to play after suffering a shoulder injury in Wednesday’s game.
England 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Harry Brooke (capt), 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tang
Ishan Kishan was out for the second consecutive innings.•Getty Images
Morne Morkel, the Indian bowling coach, suggested they wouldn’t “tinker too much” when he was asked the inevitable question about Sooryavanshi. India went with three spinners in the first game (though none bowled) and were able to stick with this combination.
India (probably) 1 Sanju Samson, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Harshit Rana, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarty
Serving and conditions: turn, bounce… and run
Old Trafford pitches have traditionally offered something for spinners and seamers, with bounce benefiting both, but they can also produce good batting, as evidenced by England’s 304 for 2 last year (the first time 300 has been scored in a match between full members). The surface is fresh, even though the city recently hosted the Women’s T20 World Cup and there is some grass left on it.
Statistics and trivia
- The loss at Chester-le-Street was India’s third inconclusive result after three groundings. Only England at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium have played more games at the stadium without receiving a positive result (four tests, four draws).
- Axar Patel is one match after matching M.S. Dhoni, in his 98th match, became India’s fifth most capped player in T20Is; he needs one more wicket to become the fourth Indian to reach 100 wickets in this format.
- Adil Rashid, currently ranked 164th, needs two wickets to take second place in the T20I list. Rashid Khan tops the table with 193 points.
Quotes
“It will give you confidence, winning the series against the best team, back-to-back champions. They’re obviously a great team… It would be great if we could win the series, just for England cricket in general.”
Sam Curran believes victory over India would be a significant boost at a turbulent time for English cricket
“We just need to also respect the fact that we have the No. 1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju (Samson) was a World Cup player and had a great IPL. As a coaching staff, it’s only fair to show faith and support your players.”
Bowling coach in India Morne Morkel hints that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for her turn
Alan Gardner is deputy editor of Cricinfo. @alanroderick