CHESTER-LE-STREET, 02 July (H.S.): The first T20 International between India and England was abandoned due to persistent rain on Wednesday after India's innings, denying the hosts an opportunity to begin their chase.

Batting first, India posted a competitive 189 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. However, continuous rainfall after the innings break prevented England from starting their innings, forcing the umpires to call off the match.

For India, Abhishek Sharma played a blistering knock of 59 off just 24 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with 68 from 47 deliveries. Shivam Dube provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 42 off 21 balls, helping India reach a strong total.

India got off to a poor start as Sanju Samson was dismissed for 1 and Ishan Kishan departed without opening his account. Abhishek Sharma then counter-attacked aggressively and completely shifted the momentum in India's favour. He reached his half-century in just 20 balls, registering the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter against England.

After Abhishek's dismissal, Shreyas Iyer took charge of the innings and scored his maiden T20I half-century as India's captain. Shivam Dube accelerated in the closing overs with a powerful unbeaten innings that lifted India to 189.

For England, Saqib Mahmood was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 33 runs and preventing India from crossing the 200-run mark.

Light rain interrupted India's innings intermittently, but the visitors completed their full quota of overs. The rain intensified during the innings break and continued without interruption, making it impossible for England to begin their chase. With no improvement in weather conditions within the scheduled time, the umpires declared the match abandoned without a result.

Brief Scores:

India: 189/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 59, Shreyas Iyer 68, Shivam Dube 42 not out; Saqib Mahmood 3/33)

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar