Buttler's 131 and Brook's 95* power England to 257/3 vs India in 5th T20I
Synopsis
Jos Buttler's 131 off 64 balls and Harry Brook's unbeaten 95 — combined with India dropping catches at critical moments — produced one of the most dominant T20I batting performances in recent memory. England's 257/3 sets India a near-impossible chase to save the series.
Key Takeaways
Jos Buttler smashed 131 off 64 balls (12 fours, 8 sixes, SR: 204.69) in the 5th T20I at Southampton on 11 July .
Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95 , falling five short of a second T20I century.
The Buttler–Brook partnership yielded 233 runs off 102 balls — a dominant stand that dismantled India's bowling attack.
India dropped Buttler once and Brook twice during the innings, compounding their bowling woes.
Axar Patel conceded 63 runs in 4 overs — reportedly his most expensive T20 spell.
Shivam Dube was India's best bowler with figures of 2 for 22 .
Jos Buttler blazed a stunning 131 off 64 balls while Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95 as England posted a commanding 257/3 against India in the fifth and final T20I at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, 11 July. The two batters combined for a breathtaking 233-run partnership off just 102 balls, delivering what was arguably one of the finest batting displays in recent T20 history against an Indian side that wilted with both ball and glove.
Buttler and Brook Dismantle India's Attack
India captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first, and the decision backfired spectacularly. Pacer Prasidh Krishna provided an early breakthrough, dismissing opener Phil Salt for 6 in the second over, caught at deep backward square leg. That, however, was the last moment of joy for India for a prolonged stretch of the innings.
Brook set the tone immediately, reaching his half-century off a scorching 19 deliveries, punishing both India's pacers and spinners with equal disdain. Buttler, comparatively measured in the early exchanges, shifted into a higher gear after crossing fifty and never looked back. He struck 12 fours and 8 sixes at a remarkable strike-rate of 204.69, bringing up his century off just 52 balls with a pulled six off Axar Patel.
India's Fielding Woes Compound Bowling Misery
India's struggles were not confined to the bowling alone. The fielding was, by any measure, poor — the side dropped multiple regulation catches at critical junctures. Buttler was given a reprieve off Axar Patel in the 16th over, while Brook was dropped twice — once by Shivam Dube on 3 and again by Ishan Kishan on 90. Both batters capitalised ruthlessly on each let-off.
The fielding errors proved enormously costly as England accelerated toward an imposing total. Axar bore the brunt of the carnage, leaking 63 runs in his four overs — reportedly the most expensive spell of his T20 career.
Late Wickets, but England Cross 250
Buttler was eventually dismissed in the 19th over, miscuing a shot to mid-off off the bowling of Dube. On the very next delivery, Dube removed Jacob Bethell for a duck, giving India a brief glimmer. However, Will Jacks and the in-form Brook — who fell agonisingly five runs short of a second T20I century — ensured England surged past the 250-run mark with ease.
Dube was India's most effective bowler with figures of 2 for 22, while Prasidh Krishna returned 1 for 38.
What India Must Chase
India now face a stiff chase of 258 to level the series in what is the fifth and final match of the T20I rubber. The target, set at a sun-baked Rose Bowl, is the kind that demands near-flawless batting from the top order. India's batting unit will need to respond emphatically after a performance in the field that raised serious questions about concentration and preparation at the highest level.
Brief scores: England 257/3 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 131, Harry Brook 95*; Shivam Dube 2-22, Prasidh Krishna 1-38) vs India.
Point of View
Brook twice — those errors gifted England roughly 150 additional runs in context. India's bowling attack was always going to be challenged on a flat Rose Bowl surface, but the fielding collapse removed any margin for error. Shreyas Iyer's decision to bowl first in a series decider, on a ground that historically favours chasing sides but punishes bad fielding, will face scrutiny. More broadly, India's T20 bowling depth — without a specialist death bowler of genuine pace — continues to be exposed when top-order batters bat deep.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did England post against India in the 5th T20I?
England posted 257/3 in 20 overs against India in the fifth and final T20I at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on 11 July. Jos Buttler top-scored with 131 and Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95.
How many runs did Buttler and Brook put on together?
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook shared a 233-run partnership off just 102 balls, which was the cornerstone of England's mammoth total. It is one of the highest T20I stands in recent years.
How many catches did India drop in the 5th T20I?
India dropped multiple catches during England's innings — Buttler was given a reprieve off Axar Patel in the 16th over, while Brook was dropped twice, by Shivam Dube on 3 and by Ishan Kishan on 90.
What are Axar Patel's figures in the 5th T20I?
Axar Patel conceded 63 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket — reportedly the most expensive spell of his T20 career. Shivam Dube was India's most effective bowler with 2 for 22.
Why did India bowl first in the 5th T20I?
India captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. The decision backfired significantly, with England's Buttler and Brook exploiting the conditions and India's fielding errors to post 257/3.
