Daijiworld Media Network - Chester-Le-Street

Chester-Le-Street, Jul 2: The opening T20 International between England and India was abandoned due to persistent rain after India posted a competitive 189 for 7 at Chester-le-Street on Thursday.

After being asked to bat first, India recovered from an early collapse thanks to a blistering 59 off just 24 balls from Abhishek Sharma and a composed 68 from captain Shreyas Iyer. Shivam Dube added late fireworks with a quickfire 42, helping India finish strongly.

England pacer Saqib Mahmood marked his international comeback with impressive figures of 3 for 33, claiming the wickets of Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma.

India suffered an early setback as Mahmood dismissed Sanju Samson for five, while Ishan Kishan was run out in the same over, leaving the visitors struggling at 6 for 2. Abhishek then launched a stunning counterattack, racing to a 20-ball half-century and sharing an 82-run partnership with Shreyas to revive the innings.

After Abhishek departed for 59, Shreyas continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his half-century before Dube's aggressive cameo lifted India to a challenging total.

England, however, did not get an opportunity to begin their chase as heavy rain intensified during the innings break, forcing officials to abandon the match without a ball being bowled in the second innings.

Mahmood's performance was one of the positives for England. Playing his first international match in over a year following knee surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, the Lancashire pacer impressed with three crucial wickets despite being taken on by Abhishek during the powerplay.

The series now moves to the second T20I, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage after the rain-marred opener.