England Beat India by 27 Runs at Lord's to Win ODI Series 2-1

England opening batter, Ben Duckett, in a sensational display of batting skills, produced one of his finest ODI innings and helped himself to set the highest men’s ODI individual score at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s. He scored 141 runs of 135 runs and set his team up nicely to post a huge score of 383 for seven.

Duckett and Jacob Bethel shared an opening stand of 192 runs. The latter fell just nine runs short of his 100. But Duckett kept the pressure on the Indian bowlers and stitched another useful partnership with the number three batter, Joe Root before eventually falling to Prince Yadav in the 44th over. His innings was laced with 18 fours and one six.

Joe Root, who is in great form scored another fifty in this tournament, helping England post a formidable total. He remained unbeaten once again, scoring 74 from 48 balls and this was his sixth consecutive innings in an ODI where he scored 50+ runs. Jos Butler gave the perfect finishing touches to the English with an impetus at the fag end of the innings, scoring a quick fire 41 from 13 deliveries, including four 4s and three 6s.

Image courtsey - BBC

Chasing a huge target, India got off to a great start and remained in the hunt to chase the score for most part of the game. And, India was helped by a brilliant ton by former captain, Rohit Sharma, who scored 138 runs. The veteran looked in sparkling form throughout his stay at the crease, and he hit 17 fours and five sixes in his 111-ball knock.

The Indian openers put on a 147-run stand, with Shubman Gill scoring 77 runs. The duo countered both English pace and spin attack well before Adil Rashid trapped Gill LBW. After Gill’s dismissal, it was a ‘Ro-Ko’ show at the Lord’s and the Indian veteran duo stitched a good partnership steering their team closer to the target before Rohit got out in the 38th over, bowled by Jacob Bethell.

Rohit’s dismissal eventually proved to be a decisive moment in the game, and it left Virat Kohli to take India home, even as the required run rate kept spiralling. Kohli kept the Indian innings together, but he received no support at the other end and middle-order was dismissed cheaply. He too eventually got out for 74 runs off the bowling of Sam Curran, effectively ending India’s hopes.

The Indian tailenders did try to put up some fight and hit a few boundaries but the target was steep for them to reach, and eventually Indian folded on 360 for 7, giving England a 2-1 series victory.