The Seattle Orcas clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory over Washington Freedom at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas in the third match of the MLC on Friday. The Orcas restricted Washington Freedom to 144/7 and then chased down the total in 19.4 overs. 

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MLC Match 3: Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom - What happened in the match?

Orcas won the toss and let Washington Freedom bat first. They didn't have the best start as they lost the wickets of Matthew Short (2) and Mukhtar Ahmed (5) within the first three overs. Andries Gous (28) and Glenn Phillips (20) carried the ship. Skipper Moises Henriques (24) played an important cameo, but could not extend at the crease. Akeal Hosein (33*) took charge at the back end and counter-attacked in the final overs of the innings, helping the Washington Freedom to 144/7 in their 20 overs. Wayne Parnell and Harmeet Singh, picked two wickets each, while Imad Wasim, Cameron Gannon, and Andrew Tye bagged one wicket each.

Washington Freedom's Anrich Nortje bowled brilliantly and got the better of his international teammate Quinton de Kock (10). Nauman Anwar at the other end was building his knock well, and looking to keep Seattle in the game. However, Shehan Jayasuriya (6) and Heinrich Klaasen (1) were the next to depart, as Seattle found themselves under pretty much pressure.

Imad Wasim joined Nauman in the 8th over. The duo constructed a partnership before going through the gears around the midway mark of the chase. The duo put on the biggest partnership in the match, scoring 53 runs from 39 deliveries. Nauman lost his wicket as Dane Piedt sent him to the dugout for 48 in the 14th over. 

Seattle needed 27 from the final 3 overs to win the third MLC match. It was up to Imad Wasim and Shimron Hetmyer to apply the finishing touches. The duo didn't disappoint and took the equation down to 6 from 6. Hetmyer was dismissed for 23 by Marco Jansen in the second delivery of the final over. Shubham Ranjane didn't take time and struck back-to-back boundaries to wrap up the match with two balls to spare.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of India vs England 3rd T20I in Rajkot at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

This is Payal Debnath with all the live updates for you.

India are currently leading the series by 2-0. The men in blue won the first two matches in Kolkata and Chennai. They will look to seal the T20I series against England in the third match.

Also Read: ICC AWARDS 2024: Jasprit Bumrah wins Men's Test Cricketer of the Year while Mandhana wins Women's ODI cricketer of the Year award

So, sit back and relax as we start the live coverage for you. keep refreshing the page for all the latest updates.

T20 cricket is one of the toughest formats to bowl for any bowler. With high-quality bats, shorter grounds, flatter pitches it has been a tough place for bowlers around the globe. However, some bowlers have found it easy to take wickets as the batsmen are willing to take more risks. Arshdeep Singh has emerged as one of the best in T20Is within two years of his debut. He is now the bowler with most T20I wickets for India.

Top 4: Most wickets in T20I for India

#1 Arshdeep Singh: 97* T20 International Wickets

Since his debut in 2022, Arshdeep Singh has made himself as one of the best white ball bowlers. The left-arm pacer is now the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket among Indians. 

The highest wicket-taker of 2024 T20 World Cup has the ability to swing the new ball. He can also follow that up with Yorkers and variations at the death as well. 

In 61 matches he now has taken 97 wickets to go past Yuzvendra Chahal's record. Arsdheep has an average of 17.83 along with a 8.25 economy rate in T20I cricket.

Read Also | IPL 2025 Auction: Top 10 Most Expensive players of the auction

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal: 96 T20 International Wickets

Chahal, the leg-spinner, is one of the most clever bowlers in world cricket right now. With his experience in Chess, it is quite obvious that he outfox the batsman easily to get wickets. 

Chahal has taken 96 wickets in his 80 T20 international matches. He was also the first Indian bowler to pick a 5-wicket haul in a T20 international game. His bowling average of 25.09 in T20Is speaks volumes for his wicket-taking ability.

However, recently he has found it hard to find a place in the Indian team. 

#3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 90 T20 International Wickets

Once Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the bowler with most T20I wickets for India. Though Kumar has not played a single game for India since 2022, when bowlers like Arshdeep Singh was brought in the team.

The medium has taken 90 T20 international wickets in 87 games with an outstanding economy rate of 6.96. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also the first Indian player to take five-wicket hauls in all formats of the game.

With age, Bhuvneshwar Kumar might find it tough to make a return to the Indian T20I squad, but with his accuracy, he still can be an asset for the team.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah : 89 T20 International Wickets

Probably the best Indian pacer of all time, Jasprit Bumrah is a gift of IPL to Indian cricket. His death-bowling skill and game reading ability are second to none. He is a blessing for any captain in the shortest format of the game. 

Bumrah can come at any stage of the game and take a wicket without the batters trying to attack him. The 2024 T20 World Cup winner has taken 89 T20I wickets in just 70 games. He has an outstanding average of 17.74 along with his stunning economy rate of 6.27. 

The five-match T20 series between India and England starts in Kolkata from January 22, Wednesday. 

This series is an opportunity for both India and England to test themselves before the Champions Trophy.

India won the T20 World Cup last year by defeating South Africa.

Also Read: What happened when India played a T20I game last time at the Eden Gardens?

Since that final, Team India has played 11 T20s and has not lost a single one. Only one match was a tie against Afghanistan.

At the same time, England has not won any T20 series in India for 14 years. In such a situation, England team led by Jos Buttler would like to change this history.

Shami to return after 14 months 

In the India vs England series, everyone's eyes will be on Mohammed Shami, who has returned to the Indian team after 14 months.

Shami's performance will be special for India, because he performed brilliantly in the 2023 ODI World Cup. 

He took 24 wickets, which included 7 wickets against New Zealand in the semi-final.

Shami's comeback will be seen during this series, especially when India has recently faced inadequacy in Test cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah is also injured and is unlikely to play in the Champions Trophy, which makes Shami's comeback all the more important.

Axar Patel is the vice captain

All-rounder Axar Patel has been made the vice-captain of India for the T20 series, who has performed brilliantly in the T20 World Cup last year. 

Also, all eyes will be on the performance of Sanju Samson, who could not make it to the Champions Trophy squad.

After this series, India also has to play three ODI matches against England.

Along with Shami, England team's fast bowler Joffra Archer is also returning, who has joined the team after recovering from injury. Mark Wood will also join the team.

India vs England 1st T20I Match Preview

India vs England | Head-to-Head Record

So far 24 T20s have been played between India and England. Out of these, 13 have been won by India and 11 by England. 

On Indian soil, the hosts have six wins and five defeats against the Brits.

That means the competition between the two has been equal.

In their last T20I meeting, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side crushed England, in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final.

However, England had earlier defeated India in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final by 10 wickets.

India vs England | Pitch Report 

The first T20 will be played between India and England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

The wicket here is considered good for batting. But, due to it being winter season, dew can have a big impact on the match. 

For this reason, the role of toss can also be important. India has won its last 5 T20s at this ground. India has not lost here since 2018.

India vs England | Weather Report 

The weather will be kind in the first T20 to be played between India and England in Kolkata. 

There is no possibility of rain on Wednesday. That means the audience will get to see the full thrill of 40 overs.

India vs England | Probable Lineups

India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel (VC), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy.

England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood.

India vs England | Squads

India T20 squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Mohd Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harisht Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakrabarthy and Washington Sundar.

England T20I Squad: Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

India vs England | Key Players to Watch Out

Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Rinku Singh

India vs England | Streaming Details 

India vs England 1st T20I is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

The match begins at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss set for 6:30 PM IST. 

Fans can catch IND vs ENG 1st T20I live on Star Sports for TV coverage, while live streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar app.

T20I cricket is returning to the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata, where the Indian Cricket Team will face England in the opening match of a five-match T20 series. 

The iconic stadium last hosted an international match on November 16, 2023, when Australia and South Africa faced off in the second semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

However, do you know when Eden Gardens last hosted a T20I match? It was when India faced West Indies in the last match of a three-match T20I series on 20 February 2022. 

In the match, the Indian team defeated the Carribeans by 17 runs to manage a clean sweep, winning the series by 3-0.

When India played a T20I game last time at the Eden Gardens

Having a 2-0 lead, India already had one hand on the trophy when they faced West Indies for the last match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Kieron Pollard-captained West Indies side won the toss and elected to bowl first.

After an early departure of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad on 4 (8), Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer took a hold to rotate the innings and made a good partnership. Kishan made 34 off 31 and Iyer made 25 off 16 deliveries before going to the pavilion.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma made only 7 off 15 balls, leaving the team in trouble after he was bowled by Dominic Drakes in the 13th over. India was on 93/4 at this point.

However, Suryakumar Yadav took it all on himself and made a blazing 65 runs off just 31 deliveries, studded with one boundary and seven sixes! On the other end, Venkatesh Iyer provided solid support to Surya as he remained not out on 35 off 19, an innings with four boundaries and two over-boundaries.

.@surya_14kumar smashed 7 sixes on his way to 65(31).

📸: Disney+Hotstar#SuryakumarYadav #INDvsWI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/D0SuufWu5W

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 20, 2022

India finished their innings on a safe total of 184/5, leaving a tough job for the West Indian batters.

In response, West Indies faced early calamities with both of their openers going back to the pavilion within the first three overs. Deepak Chahar took both wickets to startle the Windies innings.

Nicholas Pooran held the ground for the Caribbeans in the first down, building a composed innings of 61 off 47 balls. The rest of the team did not have much to deliver as only Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd tried to build some resistance. 

Although Powell and Shepherd respectively scored 25 (14) and 29 (21); West Indies ended their innings on 167/9, handing India a victory by 17 runs.

India lifted the trophy with a clean sweep over West Indies, whereas Suryakumar Yadav was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. 

India complete a clean sweep 👏

They win the final T20I against West Indies in Kolkata by 17 runs to win the series 3-0 🙌#INDvWI | 📝 https://t.co/v4n2wgfk91 pic.twitter.com/q4OYX5lDAT

— ICC (@ICC) February 20, 2022

This series win was visibly significant, leaving doors for the selectors to see a potential leader in Suryakumar Yadav for India in the T20Is. Suryakumar indeed has succeeded Rohit Sharma as the captain for the Indian team in T20I.

Suryakumar Yadav is set to captain India in the 5-match series against England, from January 22nd to February 2nd, 2025.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has started from Thursday, but the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team will start its campaign from Friday. India will face New Zealand in its first match of Group A.

In statistics, the New Zealand team's record against India has been good, but the Indian team has come into this tournament fully prepared and has the power to beat any team on its day.

Also Read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: SAW vs WIW preview; head to head; when and where to watch

The role of spinners will be important

There is every possibility that India will play only two fast bowlers in the match against New Zealand and will have to rely more on spinners. India has exceptional variety in the spin department. The attack will be led by off-spinners Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav. The deteriorating pitches may help India's spinners, who are the team's strong suit.

New Zealand team can give a surprising performance in the tournament

The New Zealand team also has a good mix of experienced and young players, due to which the team's claim is strong. Captain Sophie Devine, experienced all-rounder Suzie Bates, and experienced fast bowlers Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek form the backbone of the team. Young all-rounder Amelia Kerr is also an important part of the team and the New Zealand team can give a surprising performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. 

Mandhana is in great form

India will be hoping for significant contributions from its top players 35-year-old Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. Shafali and Mandhana are in great form. They scored in their last international match in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in July but India lost to the hosts in the final.

Mandhana has scored three half-centuries in the last five T20 innings. However, Harmanpreet's performance has been somewhat disappointing and her form is essential for India's top and middle order.

Also Read: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Squads of every team

India will aim to end title drought

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is probably playing her last T20 World Cup, has been witness to several near misses and disappointing moments of the title, including the defeat against Australia in the final in Melbourne in the T20 World Cup 2020. Like in the past, this Indian team is also full of talent.

Defending champions Australia have six T20 World Cup titles, while India are waiting for their first title. New Zealand are two-time runners-up and a win against them can be taken as a sign of being in good shape strategically and mentally. It will be important for India to start with a win as Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are also in this group.

INDW vs NZW: Head-To-Head

Both the India women and New Zealand women have faced each other 13 times. Out of these games, the Indian women have won 4 times whereas the New Zealand women have emerged out victorious on 9 occasions. 

INDW vs NZW: Squads

INDW:

Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan.

NZW:

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Also Read: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule: India to play New Zealand first, followed by Pakistan

INDW vs NZW: Live Streaming Details

When is India Vs New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match 4?

The INDW vs NZW match 4 will be held on October 4, Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 7:30 PM IST.

Where to watch India Vs New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match 4 in India?

The The INW vs NZW match 4 will be aired live on the Star Sports Network in India. The match will be available to live stream on the Disney+Hotstar app and website in India.