England make light work of India in first T20 as they chase down 125

England drew first blood in their T20 series with India as they comfortably chased down a sub-par victory target of 125 to win by eight wickets in Ahmedabad.

After Jofra Archer’s pace had troubled India’s batsmen, 49 from opener Jason Roy and runs from Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow saw England home.

India are regarded as favourites for the T20 World Cup on home soil later this year but England struck early with Archer bowling KL Rahul and Adil Rashid removing Virat Kohli to leave the hosts three for two.

Shreyas Iyer dug in with 67 to haul India to a respectable total of 124 for seven but that was never likely to intimidate England and their line-up of gun batsmen.

Roy and Buttler put on 72 for the first wicket and after both fell to LBW dismissals, Malan and Bairstow, finding the batting form that eluded him during two shocking Tests on the same ground recently, saw them home. 

Malan’s ferocious six saw England over the line after Bairstow had himself struck two sixes himself as Eoin Morgan’s side laid down an early World Cup marker.  

Jofra Archer (left) high-fives Adil Rashid after taking the prize wicket of Virat Kohli for a duck

Ben Stokes marks the wicket of Rishabh Pant as England drew first blood in the T20 series

Opener Roy was delighted by England’s eight-wicket win for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Roy told Sky Sports: ‘I’ll take 49 and I’ll take a comfortable victory as well. For us to come out and bowl and field like we did in our first game was incredible to see, and will hold us in good stead for the rest of the series.’

On benefiting from his previous experience in India, Roy said: ‘I’ve learned a lot. I’m 30 years old now, I’ve played a fair few games and I think every time you are learning.

‘The one thing I’ve learned is you’ve got to stay in the game, no matter how good a start you get off to you’ve got to get the team over the line.

‘The amount of spin I’ve faced coming over here in matches and training should hold me in good stead for the rest of the games.’

More to follow.  

Archer watched on after bowling India opener KL Rahul in an excellent start for England 

England openers Jason Roy (left) and Jos Buttler knocked off the bulk of the victory target 

Jos Buttler cuts a shot as part of his 28 at the top of the England order in Ahmedabad 

Jason Roy was disappointed to fall one run short of his half-century during England’s chase

Mark Wood shows his delight after taking the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan for just four runs

Adil Rashid was delighted after removing India captain Virat Kohli for a duck in Ahmedabad 

Mark Wood celebrates with Jos Buttler after taking Dhawan’s wicket in a bad start for India