IND Vs ENG Highlights, 1st T20I: Match Abandoned After Rain Stops Play At Chester-le-Street

These are unfortunate scenes as the umpires have called for the game to be abandoned due to incessant rains. The 2nd T20I between the two teams will be played on Saturday.

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood

See, you never know what is going to happen. Our hands are also tied at the moment in terms of what we are going to do. Because this is very private. This is something that we discuss in the team. We can't let everyone know about what combination we are going to play and let the opponents know that this is going to happen. So, definitely, he is a brilliant prodigy. And whenever he gets an opportunity to play, definitely, he will do brilliant." - IND captain Shreyas Iyer.

India have won the toss and have opted to bat.

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood

India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

... but clearly, the less said of that, the better. DR Congo might give one of the biggest heartbreaks to the England national football team.

They're currently leading 1-0.

Maybe it's a blessing that the start time of this contest was brought forward to suit the India TV audience!

Game on! Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are at the crease, with Sanju taking strike. Luke Wood has the new ball in hand and will open the attack for England.

Light rain drops appear to fall on the camera lens with overcast skies currently overing over the stadium. Weather authorities have mentioned of light rain forecast for the evening.

India's opening woes continue as they lose Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the first two overs. Samson was out caught by Tom Banton whereas Ishan was run-out after a miscommunication between him and Abhishek Sharma.

Good fightback from Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer as they have piled up the runs. Saqib Mahmood's over conjures up 21 runs as the visitors look to build up on the good over and put the pressure back on the ENG attack.

Superb end to the PP for India. After losing Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson so early, it looked like things will get eerie for the visitors once again. However, Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma have steadied the ship as they look to motor along.

Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma are going after the ENG attack with some intent. ENG bowlers are finding it difficult to grip the ball given the light rain and wet conditions. This has given India the advantage as they look to cash in.

India had to see the back of Abhishek Sharma after a well-made 59. The opening batter was adjudged LBW off Sam Curran's bowling as ENG struck back. Shreyas Iyer has been joined in by Tilak Varma as the duo look to steady the innings again.

Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer have steadied the ship as the two batters look to milk the singles and doubles. Both batters might have to up the ante once they reach the 15-over mark.

Fans inside the stadium are rejoicing as they find out that England football team has equalised via Harry Kane in their Round of 32 clash against DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Catch the action HERE!

India lost Tilak Varma on 13 after the batter tried to scoop over short fine but Liam Dawson is perfectly positioned and collects a relatively easy catch.

Shreyas Iyer has reached his half-century as Indian need to start moving on and change gears. Six wickets still remain and have five overs pending, the visitors need big overs if they are to pose an improbable total on the board.

Indian batters Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube have brought the score to 158 and will need some big overs if they are to get towards 180. Michael Atherton on-air says 180-plus will be a good score on this pitch.

India lost crucial wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Harshit Rana in the final few overs of the game but the positive is that they have Shivam Dube still at the crease as they a move on.

India end up with 189/7 in 20 overs with Shivam Dube remaining unbeaten on 42. Earlier, fifties for Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma rescued the Men In Blue from a difficult position after losing two wickets in the first two overs.

It seems the start of the ENG innings will have to wait as the rain plays spoilsport. Covers are on the ground and it will take some time for the groundstaff to make it conditions better for the players.

England’s target (different scenarios):
19 overs - 183
18 overs - 176
17 overs - 169
16 overs - 162
15 overs - 154