England beat India by 27 runs in a high-scoring contest at Lord’s on Sunday to secure their first bilateral one-day international series victory against the world’s number one-ranked side since 2018.
Opener Ben Duckett laid the foundations with a record-breaking 141 from 135 balls as England took the series 2-1.
It was the highest innings in an ODI at Lord’s, eclipsing Viv Richards’s 138 not out in the 1979 World Cup final, and helped England to a colossal total of 387-3 in their 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma gave India hope with a thrilling 138 from 110 balls which served to underline his continuing value to India after the talk over whether he still has a future in the side but, with Sam Curran taking 4-75, the huge target proved beyond the tourists.
It has been a disappointing white-ball trip all round for India who also lost both their T20 series to Ireland and England.
Duckett, who hit 18 fours and one six, shared in an opening stand of 192 - England’s highest in an ODI against India - with Jacob Bethell, who made 91.
From that launchpad, England were able to post their highest total at Lord’s in an ODI with Joe Root hitting 74 not out - his sixth successive ODI half-century - and Jos Buttler an unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls.
India’s attack, missing Jasprit Bumrah with a knee injury, suffered badly. Gurnoor Brar’s figures of 0-97 in his 10 overs were the most expensive for his country against England in an ODI while Prince Yadav, who bowled seven wides, took 1-79.
The total made for a daunting task for India’s batsmen but Rohit and Shubman Gill responded with a 147-run first-wicket stand. Shubman departed for 77 but Rohit powered on to reach his 34th ODI hundred.
However, once the 39-year-old had gone, bowled by the slow left arm spin of Bethell, India fell further and further behind the required run rate.
The loss of three wickets in the space of seven deliveries from Curran effectively ended the pursuit.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer both fell to catches in the deep by substitute Rehan Ahmed before Virat Kohli miscued to England captain Harry Brook to depart for 74. It was Kohli’s first half-century at Lord’s but even with India reaching 360-7, it was ultimately in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, former India captain Sharma has dismissed speculation over his international future, saying his sole focus remains on representing the country and contributing to the team’s success.
The 38-year-old’s comments came after he struck a blistering 138 in India’s unsuccessful chase in the third and final OODI.
The hundred ended a lean run in which Sharma had gone 11 ODIs without reaching three figures, a stretch that fuelled questions about his place ahead of next year’s World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. However, the opener retained the backing of the team management.
“My job is with the bat, come and play, represent my country, represent my team. That’s what I have been told to do since my debut so that’s what I am going to do,” Sharma said in an interview on the Indian cricket board’s website.
“The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I am going to stay here, it is always going to be there.
“So it doesn’t really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field, try and contribute to the success of the team. That’s all my focus is right now. And let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun.”
Despite Sharma’s innings, India lost the match and conceded the ODI series 2-1.
India next travel to Zimbabwe for a three-match Twenty20 International series from July 23-26 before touring Sri Lanka for a test series next month.
Reuters