Tue Jan 28 13:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Duckett Blasts India as England Fight Back in Third T20
**Bengaluru, India** – Ben Duckett exploded onto the scene in the third T20I against India, launching a blistering counter-attack that left the home side reeling. After struggling in the first two matches, Duckett smashed 38 runs off just 14 balls, including five boundaries and a mighty six, turning the tide for England after an early wicket.
England, chasing a challenging total, lost Phil Salt early (8, 5, 0, 4 and 5 being his scores against India in previous matches). However, Duckett’s ferocious display of hitting, featuring reverse sweeps and powerful straight drives, overshadowed Salt’s struggles and gave England a much-needed boost. His innings included a remarkable over where he hit five consecutive boundaries. While Jos Buttler found the going tougher, struggling to find the middle of the bat, Duckett’s explosive batting provided the much-needed impetus for England.
The match saw the return of Mohammed Shami for India, while Arshdeep Singh was rested. Both captains deemed the pitch to be the best of the series so far. England opted for the same XI as the previous matches, but a calf injury to Jamie Smith meant he would be keeping wicket instead of Salt.
Despite England’s positive start fuelled by Duckett’s brilliance, the overall series has been challenging for them. A win today is crucial to avoid a whitewash, as they seek to overcome their struggles against India’s spin attack. The series is being viewed as a valuable learning experience for England’s “Bazball” approach, with the hope that the tough competition will ultimately strengthen the team.
First Piper 