India vs England 1st T20I abandoned after rain halts England reply at 189/7
Synopsis
India posted a commanding 189/7 at Chester-le-Street — Abhishek Sharma's 20-ball fifty, Iyer's captain's 68, and Dube's explosive 42* doing the heavy lifting — only for rain to wash out England's reply entirely. The series opener ends in a no-result, but Abhishek's milestone as the fastest batter to 100 T20I sixes steals the headlines.
Key Takeaways
The 1st T20I between India and England at Chester-le-Street on 2 July was abandoned without a result due to heavy rain.
India posted 189/7 in 20 overs ; England never faced a ball.
Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 68 off 47 balls — his first fifty as T20I captain.
Abhishek Sharma hit 59 off 24 balls , including the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian in England (20 balls).
Abhishek also became the fastest batter to 100 T20I sixes — in 785 deliveries , surpassing Evin Lewis (789 deliveries).
Shivam Dube finished unbeaten on 42 off 21 balls ; Saqib Mahmood took 3 wickets for England.
The 1st T20I between India and England at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street was abandoned without a result on Wednesday, 2 July, after persistent heavy rain prevented the hosts from beginning their chase of India's 189/7 in 20 overs. The match became the first no-result T20I of this series, with the two captains emerging from their dressing rooms only to shake hands and call it off.
How the Rain Ended the Match
Ground staff moved swiftly to cover the square as rain arrived shortly after India completed their innings. What began as a drizzle quickly intensified into a sustained downpour. Both teams waited until 9 pm local time — the cut-off for a minimum five-over contest — before the umpires officially abandoned proceedings. There was no revised target set and no result declared.
India's Innings: Iyer and Abhishek Lead the Way
Sent in to bat, India were rocked early, slipping to 6/2 inside two overs. Sanju Samson fell cheaply, caught at backward point off Saqib Mahmood, while Ishan Kishan was run out for a duck following a mix-up with Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma then launched a stunning counterattack, reaching his fifty off just 20 balls — the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in England — before being dismissed lbw by Sam Curran in the eighth over for 59 off 24 balls, which included six fours and four sixes. His partnership with Shreyas Iyer yielded 82 runs.
Notably, Abhishek also became the fastest batter to hit 100 sixes in T20I cricket, reaching the landmark in 785 deliveries, surpassing West Indies' Evin Lewis, who had achieved the feat in 789 deliveries.
Iyer's Captain's Knock and Dube's Finish
Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with his ninth T20I half-century, scoring 68 off 47 balls — laced with six fours and a six — on what was described as a not-so-easy pitch. It was his first fifty as India's T20I captain, though also his slowest in the format. Iyer added 36 runs with Tilak Varma before being trapped lbw by Mahmood.
Shivam Dube provided the late acceleration, finishing unbeaten on 42 off 21 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes, as India plundered 54 runs in the final five overs. Mahmood was England's standout bowler with three wickets, while spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson struggled for control in the damp conditions. Curran dismissed Abhishek and also ran out Axar Patel off the final delivery.
Context and What Comes Next
A total of 189 is considered above par at the Riverside Ground, and England would have faced a stiff chase under lights. This is the first match of what promises to be a closely contested T20I series. With the series still level at 0-0, both sides will be eager to make an early statement in the next fixture. The washout denies India the chance to press home an advantage built on a strong batting display, while England escape without facing a challenging target.
Point of View
Who were staring down a 189-plus target on a tricky surface after India's lower order added 54 in the final five overs. Abhishek Sharma's record milestone — fastest to 100 T20I sixes — is the real story here, signalling that India have found a top-order destroyer capable of redefining powerplay dynamics. Shreyas Iyer's measured 68 as captain also answers a question about his temperament in the role. The concern for India is the top-order fragility: 6/2 inside two overs is a pattern that better attacks will exploit. England, meanwhile, get a free pass for now — but the series will quickly reveal whether their bowling can handle India at full throttle on a dry surface.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the India vs England 1st T20I abandoned?
The match was abandoned due to heavy rain at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street on 2 July. Rain arrived shortly after India completed their innings of 189/7, and the downpour continued past the 9 pm local cut-off time for a minimum five-over game, forcing the umpires to call it off without a result.
What was India's score in the 1st T20I against England?
India scored 189/7 in 20 overs. The innings was built around half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (68 off 47 balls) and Abhishek Sharma (59 off 24 balls), with Shivam Dube contributing an unbeaten 42 off 21 balls.
What record did Abhishek Sharma set in the 1st T20I?
Abhishek Sharma became the fastest batter to hit 100 sixes in T20I cricket, reaching the milestone in 785 deliveries. He surpassed West Indies' Evin Lewis, who had achieved the feat in 789 deliveries. Abhishek also hit the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter in England, off just 20 balls.
Who were the top performers for India in the abandoned T20I?
Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 68 off 47 balls on his first fifty as T20I captain. Abhishek Sharma smashed 59 off 24 balls and Shivam Dube finished unbeaten on 42 off 21 balls. For England, Saqib Mahmood was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
What is the series score after the 1st T20I washout?
The series remains level at 0-0 after the first match was abandoned without a result. Both teams will look to gain the early advantage in the next T20I of the series.
