England collapsed to a series defeat against India, losing the second T20I by 49 runs at Edgbaston after losing the first by 50 runs at the Rose Bowl.
Richard Gleeson impressed on debut for the hosts, picking up 3-15, while Chris Jordan took an excellent 4-27. However, India were able to score 170-8 thanks to a blistering start from Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant at the top of the order and a magnificent 46 not out from Ravindra Jadeja.
In response, England struggled with the bat, losing three wickets in the powerplay as India produced a brilliant team bowling performance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3-15 and starred with the new ball, while Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal both picked up 2-10.
Moeen Ali and David Willey did give England some hope with useful cameos of 35 and 33 respectively, but with the side already 60-6 when they came together it was too little too late.
Here are five talking points...
Pant at the top of the order
As one of four players returning to the side after being rested for the first match due to his involvement in the recent Test, Pant was promoted up the order to open alongside Rohit. Rohit spoke after the first T20I of India wanting to bat more aggressively during the powerplay and Pant perfectly embodies that mindset.
"You have to make use of the six overs when the fielders are outside and there is an approach we want to take," Rohit said. "Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't."
And Pant struck a quick-fire 26 off just 15 balls as he shared an excellent 49-run opening partnership with Rohit that lasted 4.5 overs. Although India did lose several quick wickets, they were able to recover to a winning total of 170 and their new ultra-aggressive approach should serve them well moving forward.
Gleeson's dream debut
The Lancashire quick could not have envisioned a better way to make his England debut as he picked up the massive wickets of Rohit, Kohli and Pant. Gleeson got Rohit caught behind off a top edge in his first over, before dismissing both Kohli and Pant in a stunning double-wicket maiden.
It has been a long journey to the top for Gleeson, who became England's 95th T20 player at the age of 34, having not made his professional debut until he was 27. He got his opportunity at Northamptonshire in 2016, before moving to Lancashire in 2018.
After returning from a career-threatening back injury, he picked up 23 wickets at 16.34 in the T20 Blast this year and earned an England call-up, promptly delivering at Edgbaston with 3-15 from his four overs. "He is a lesson for everyone out there that it is never too late, keep going and keep working for your dream," former England captain Michael Atherton told Sky Sports.
Jordan's superb series continues
Heading into this series, Jordan would have been desperate to remind fans of his quality after some recent struggles. The 34-year-old conceded 23 from one over in the T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, with a brutal assault from Jimmy Neesham turning the tide and eliminating England.
Jordan also struggled in the T20I series against the West Indies in January and the recent IPL, going at an economy rate of 10.46 and 10.51 respectively. However, when you bowl predominantly at the death like Jordan does, you are bound to get punished a few times and he has bounced back impressively this series.
He was the pick of the bowlers in the first T20, taking 2-23 at an economy rate of just 5.75 while not bowling a single yorker. He continued to have success in the second T20, picking up 4-27 while bowling largely back of a length.
Jadeja's crucial innings
After some excellent bowling from Gleeson and Jordan left India faltering, Jadeja's brilliant unbeaten 46 ensured they closed out the innings well. With India falling to 89-5 at one stage, Jadeja struck 46 off 29 balls to drag his side to a winning total.
Once dubbed a "bits and pieces" cricketer by Sanjay Manjrekar, Jadeja is crucial to this Indian side as a genuine all-rounder, particularly given the concerns over Pandya's fitness. He has been in brilliant form with the bat in T20I cricket since the start of 2021, with the 33-year-old averaging a whopping 155.
Roy's horror day
While most of England's batters disappointed in their chase, Roy had a particularly nightmarish day. In the field, he dropped Rohit in the first over while the India skipper had made just one.
He ultimately went on to blast 31 off just 20 balls, getting India off to a flier alongside Pant. When it came his time to bat, Roy was unable to give England the same flying start as he got caught behind off Kumar for a golden duck off the very first ball of England's chase.
