Hardik-inspired India hammer England in Jos Buttler's first outing as full-time captain

Jos Buttler’s first innings as England’s new captain lasted just one ball as his golden duck set the tone for a 50-run thumping by India.

After the storming success of the Test side under new management, Buttler was probably on a hiding to nothing in his first game as official captain but this was the worst possible start to his tenure, his team bowled out for 148 having never threatened victory.  “We were outplayed,” he admitted. “The ball swung more than I have ever seen in a T20. I thought India bowled fantastically well and we couldn't get back in the game from that point.”

His predecessor, Eoin Morgan, was watching from the Sky commentary pod just beyond the boundary as Buttler was bowled through the gate from the third ball of the England innings by swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Jason Roy played one of the worst ever England T20 innings, stumbling around for four off 16 balls, a strike rate of 25, as the India’s bowlers hit the seam and swung the new ball at pace on a quick pitch and England had no answer. 

India were led by the superb Hardik Pandya, who bowled with pace and skill for his best T20 figures of four for 33, after earlier top scoring for India with 51 off 33 balls. It is not going to get any easier for England either, with India set to welcome back Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant for Saturday's game at Edgbaston.

Chasing 199 to win, England’s hopes were all but over in the powerplay as they slumped to 32 for three, India swinging the ball far more than England in the early overs - 2.2 degrees, compared with 1.3. 

A partnership of 61 from 36 balls for the fifth wicket between Harry Brook and Moeen Ali briefly rallied England but they departed in a match-clinching 13th over bowled by leg spinner Yuzvendra