Middle, lower order comes a cropper to deal India the big blow
LONDON, July 19: A breathtaking century from Rohit Sharma and fluent half-centuries by Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were not enough as England defeated India by 27 runs in the third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
Asked to chase a daunting 388, India finished on 360 for seven despite Rohit’s magnificent 138 off 110 balls, an innings laced with 17 fours and five sixes. Gill laid the foundation with a composed 77 off 84 deliveries, while Kohli added 74 from just 60 balls, but England held their nerve in the closing stages to seal the decider.
Earlier, England piled up a record 387 for three after opting to bat. Ben Duckett starred with a superb 141 off 135 balls, sharing a commanding 192-run opening stand with Jacob Bethell, who narrowly missed out on a century with a 93-ball 91.
Joe Root then provided the perfect finish with an unbeaten 74 off 48 balls, while Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 41 from only 13 deliveries to propel England to the highest ODI total ever recorded at Lord’s.
India’s chase began brightly as Rohit and Gill added 147 for the opening wicket, keeping the required rate under control. Kohli then joined Rohit to raise hopes of a memorable chase with an aggressive knock, but England struck at crucial moments. Sam Curran turned the game with a match-winning spell, dismissing Rohit soon after his century before removing Kohli and other key batters to finish with four wickets.
Despite late resistance from the lower order, including useful contributions from Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh, India fell short by 27 runs as England celebrated a hard-fought series triumph at the Home of Cricket. Rohit, however, achieved a personal milestone, registering the most 50-plus scores by a visiting batter in England, surpassing Virat Kohli. (With PTI inputs)
