(Image source from: x.com/englandcricket)

Adil Rashid delivered an exceptional delivery to dismiss Tilak Varma in the third T20I against India. Despite the slow pitch, Tilak had been batting brilliantly, scoring 318 runs since his last dismissal in T20Is. When Rashid came to bowl, Tilak was looking to score, but Rashid's delivery spun sharply, beating Tilak in the air and off the pitch to knock down his middle stump. R Ashwin praised Rashid's "scrambled seam and serious side spin" as a "top-class" bowling performance.

Rashid used his extensive experience in T20 cricket since 2009 to effectively control the game's middle overs. During overs 8 to 14, India only managed to score 28 runs, a significant slowdown compared to their usual boundary-hitting pace. Rashid's disciplined bowling, including the use of 10 googlies, kept the batters on their toes and prevented them from finding their rhythm. Even with a left-hander in the middle and short boundaries, Rashid finished his four overs with impressive figures of 1 for 15. The India captain acknowledged Rashid's outstanding performance, crediting him as a world-class bowler who didn't allow India to rotate the strike. Rashid's skillful pace variations overshadowed even the impressive figures of his teammate Varun Chakravarthy earlier in the match.

Rashid mentioned that while developing his game, he has learned to mix up his bowling speeds, ranging from slower to faster deliveries, and adjusting to the pitch conditions. During the match, he observed the pitch was playing slow and low, so the bowling unit had to decide whether to bowl with pace or without it. Rashid showcased his versatility by varying his pace throughout his spell, from as high as 88.3kph to as low as 67.9kph, making it difficult for batters to get comfortable. In the second T20I, India continued to attack, even at the cost of losing wickets, but they seemed to play out Rashid's final over cautiously, despite the high required run rate. England captain Jos Buttler emphasized Rashid's importance to the team, noting that he keeps improving.

Rashid has impressive bowling skills and versatility, which make him a valuable asset for his captain. In the previous match, he performed well, but England couldn't defend the total. However, in the recent match, Rashid's partnership with Mark Wood helped England post a competitive score, despite the pitch becoming slower and more challenging for batting. Rashid's magical bowling and the lack of dew on the pitch ultimately allowed England to stay in the series.