India defeated England by eight runs to level the T20 series, with the decider to come on Saturday.

India made a competitive score of 185-8 in their 20 overs thanks to a fine half century from debutant Suryakumar.

Brave effort from Stokes

England had it all to do at the half way point, but a superb knock from Ben Stokes kept them in the hunt. Despite the run rate approaching 12 an over England managed to reduce the target down to requiring 23 off the final over.

A brave effort from Chris Jordan wasn’t quiet enough as India scrapped home to make it 2-2 in the series.

England named an unchanged side for the fourth international. The visitors won the toss and put India in to bat.

Archer removes Sharma

Rohit Sharma hit the first delivery of the game for a maximum off Adil Rashid. England got their own back on Sharma(12) when Archer produced a slower ball to remove the opener.

Suryakumar didn’t seemed fazed on his international debut by smashing two six’s off an over from Rashid.

Stokes was introduced in to the attack and struck in his first over by removing KL Rahul(14). The Indian captain Virat Kohli made just a single of five balls before being stumped by Rashid as England reduced India to 70-3 after nine overs.

Sam Curran strikes in his first over

Captain Morgan brought on Surrey’s Sam Curran for his first bowl of the game. His first delivery was despatched over deep fine leg for a maximum from Suryakumar. The young Indian batsman tried to repeat the same shot next ball and was caught by Dawid Malan.

The dangerous Rishabh Pant made 30 before being removed by Archer. A cameo innings of 37 by Shreyas Iyer was ended when Malan held on to a fine catch at deep midwicket.

Fine final over from Archer

Archer bowled the final over and picked up the wickets of Hardick(11) and Washington Sundar(4) to finish with 4-33.

England soon lost the wicket of Jos Buttler(9) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar after three overs. Malan(14)- who was dropped on three- fell to leg spinner Rahul Chahar’s fourth delivery.

Opener Jason Roy(40) looked to be heading for a big score when he picked out Yadav at deep midwicket. With the run rate climbing it was down to Stokes and Jonny Bairstow to get England back in the game. The pair added 65 for the fourth wicket when Bairstow(25) fell to Chahar.

Down to Stokes and Morgan to see England home

The visitors required 54 off 30 balls with Stokes and Eoin Morgan at the crease. The pair looked the best combination to see England home, but Thakur had other ideas. In the course of two deliveries, he had swung the game India’s way.

Stokes(46) holed out to long off and next ball Morgan(4) was caught at deep cover with 39 required off 18 balls.

Sam Curran made two before he was bowled by Pandya as India turned the screw.

India go into final over strong favourites

23 runs were required of the final over with India firm favourites. Jofra Archer almost pulled off a miracle. With 18 needed from four balls Archer launched a six over midwicket. Two wides from Thaker reduced the deficit required to ten off three deliveries.

A single left Chris Jordan(12) facing, but he picked out mid off to end England’s chances of winning the game and series today.

The deciding match will be played on Saturday at Ahmadabad, with everything to play for.