India delivered a dominant performance in the third and final ODI against England, securing a resounding 142-run victory to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep. The match, held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, marked India's last ODI series before the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the team showcased their prowess in all departments.
India’s Strong Batting Display
England won the toss and elected to bowl first, putting India in to bat. The hosts faced an early setback when captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the second over. However, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli steadied the innings with a solid 100-run partnership. Kohli, who had been struggling for form recently, found his rhythm and scored a crucial 52 runs—his first ODI half-century since the 2023 World Cup final. His innings came to an end when he was dismissed by England’s spinner, Adil Rashid.
Gill, on the other hand, continued his exceptional form, notching up his 7th ODI century with a brilliant 112 off 102 balls. He was well-supported by Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a fluent 78 runs off 64 deliveries, as the pair added another 104 runs to the total. KL Rahul provided a late flourish with a quickfire 40 off just 29 balls, helping India post a formidable total of 356 runs.
England’s bowling attack was led by Adil Rashid, who was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 64. He accounted for key wickets, including Kohli, Gill, Iyer, and Hardik Pandya. Mark Wood chipped in with two wickets, while Saqib Mahmood, Joe Root, and Gus Atkinson claimed one wicket each.
England’s Batting Collapse
Chasing a daunting target of 357, England’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. None of their batters managed to reach a half-century, and the team was bowled out for a mere 214 runs. Gus Atkinson, batting at number eight, was the top scorer with a brisk 19-ball 38, but his efforts were not enough to steer England to a competitive total.
India’s bowlers were in top form, with four players taking two wickets each:
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
Their disciplined and aggressive bowling ensured that England never gained momentum in the chase.
A Strong Statement Ahead of the Champions Trophy
This comprehensive victory not only sealed a 3-0 series whitewash but also served as a strong statement of intent from India ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team displayed exceptional form in batting, bowling, and fielding, outclassing England in every aspect of the game. With key players like Gill, Kohli, and Iyer firing with the bat, and the bowlers delivering consistent performances, India looks well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
The series win underscores India’s dominance in ODI cricket and sets a positive tone for their preparations for future tournaments. Fans will be eager to see if the team can maintain this momentum as they build towards the Champions Trophy in 2025.
