Tilak Varma has played a lone hand by shepherding India across the finish line against England with an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls in the second Twenty20 in Chennai.

Brydon Carse will replace Gus Atkinson for England's second T20 International against India on Saturday while Jamie Smith has also been added to the squad. Atkinson bled 38 runs in his two wicketless overs in the series opener in Kolkata where India cruised to a seven-wicket victory with more than seven overs to spare.

England kick off their first white-ball series against India in three years today in Kolkata, with head coach Brendon McCullum looking to mould his side ahead of next month's Champions Trophy.  The fall out from England's disappointing performance at last year's T20 World Cup saw McCullum take charge of the limited-overs squad,

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata.

Tilak Varma's brilliant 72 not out guided India to a thrilling two-wicket victory over England on Saturday, handing the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series. India successfully chased down 166 with four balls to spare after the visitors set a competitive total of 165-9.