Brendon McCullum's first match as England's white-ball coach ended in a seven-wicket defeat to India in Kolkata.

The hosts soared to victory in the first T20I of the five-match series with 43 balls to spare, as their spin bowlers dominated proceedings at Eden Gardens.

England endured a difficult start as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt (duck) and Ben Duckett (four) within the first three overs, though Jos Buttler (68 from 44 balls) settled them down as they reached 65-2 in the eighth over.

However, Varun Chakravarthy stalled any potential momentum by claiming Harry Brook (17) and Liam Livingstone (duck) in the space of three balls, while he also dismissed Buttler later on as the tourists were bowled out for 132.

India then hit the ground running with their response, as Gus Atkinson conceded 23 in the second over.

Although Jofra Archer claimed Sanju Samson (26) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (duck) in the fifth over, it proved a false dawn for England, as Abhishek Sharma led the hosts' charge with 79 from 34 balls.

Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya subsequently steered India over the line as they drew first blood in the series, which continues in Chennai on Saturday.

England's struggles against India's spinners continue#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/nQoYq1dI5J
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 22, 2025

Data Debrief: Arshdeep shines as spinners the scourge of England

Just like in Guyana in their last T20I (6-58), India's spinners were the scourge of England as they recorded figures of 5-67.

The hosts wrapped up victory with the most balls remaining in a successful run chase against England in men's T20Is, while it was the tourists' heaviest T20 defeat in terms of deliveries remaining (both 43).

Meanwhile, Arshdeep made history with his two early wickets, as he became India's leading wicket-taker in men's T20Is with 97, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal (96).

It inspired the Men in Blue as they registered three successive T20I victories over England on home soil in their history.