England secured a comprehensive 4-0 series victory over India in the T20 international cricket series with a commanding 56-run win at Southampton on Tuesday. The result propelled England to the top of the ICC T20 world rankings for the first time, underscoring their dominance throughout the series.

Central to England’s success was veteran batsman Jos Buttler, whose aggressive 131 runs off 51 balls included eight towering sixes. This marked Buttler’s second T20 international century and his first in three years. He formed a record-breaking partnership in the format with England captain Harry Brook, who contributed an unbeaten 95 runs. Together, they compiled a 233-run stand, helping England reach 257-3, their second-highest total in T20 internationals.

India, the reigning T20 world champions, faced a challenging chase from the outset. The match experienced a delayed start after the Indian team was held up in traffic en route to the venue. India’s hopes of avoiding a series whitewash were effectively ended midway through their innings. While opener Ishan Kishan scored a fighting 56, India were eventually restricted to 201-8. England’s left-arm swing bowler Sam Curran took three wickets for 36 runs, managing to stifle India’s batting momentum.

India captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 27 runs, including a 55-run partnership with Kishan, but was dismissed by England spinner Liam Dawson. Other notable performances included Tilak Varma’s 53 runs and a brief cameo from Sanju Samson, who replaced 15-year-old Vaibhav Soorayavanshi in the lineup after the latter was dropped. Samson hit two sixes but was caught off Curran’s bowling for 27.

England’s wicket-keeper Buttler was also impactful in the field, taking three catches including one that dismissed Varma. India’s innings faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals, with Phil Salt making a crucial run-out catch to end Kishan’s innings.

Brook praised his team’s collective effort after the match, highlighting the unity and positive approach that led to England’s rise to the number one T20 side globally. “We had a lot of fun. Ran well, hit boundaries and complemented each other,” Brook said. “All boys are delighted and we deserve to celebrate.”

The two teams are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series beginning Tuesday in Birmingham. For India, the series represents one of the final opportunities to see veteran batsman Virat Kohli, who has retired from Test and T20 international cricket, in England.