And then they popped. Chasing 230, their brittle batting was ruthlessly exposed by outstanding opponents and they were bowled out for just 129. Six games in, India retain their 100% record and return to the top of the group; England remain rock bottom.
Although in the end the winning margin, precisely 100, was extremely comfortable, England had India worried for a while, which in the circumstances was something of a triumph. Four overs into their innings, with the openers looking solid and their target achievable, this heaving stadium on the outskirts of Lucknow had fallen silent. Twenty minutes later it was a riot of noise once again as, like Jericho, England's defences came tumbling down.
Over the past few weeks this team have made a habit of self-combustion but on this occasion they were simply outplayed. Not every defeat is a humiliation, though this tournament has certainly become one, and there was a miserable familiarity to their innings as it faltered and failed.
Dawid Malan was first to go, edging into his stumps. Joe Root lasted one ball, which arrowed low into his pads. Jasprit Bumrah was the bowler on both occasions, and if Malan was a little unlucky, Root was extraordinarily so to have such a delivery first up. The bat Root waved in annoyance when his review failed was no more useful than the one he had just wafted at the ball.
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